Bodo/Glimt general manager Frode Thomassen was thoroughly unimpressed with UEFA’s decision to suspend head coach Kjetil Knutsen following the incident with Nuno Santos.
The Roma goalkeeping coach allegedly grabbed Knutsen by the neck and pushed him against the wall, with some reports suggesting that a punch was thrown as well. Bodo/Glimt confirmed their decision to talk to the police and UEFA’s suspension has only infuriated them further, adding another page to this rapidly growing rivalry.
Speaking to Verdens Gang, Thomassen discussed UEFa’s decision to suspend Knutsen as well as Nuno Santos.
“Our reaction at first was utter shock at the decision. To be in this situation, clearly provoked by Roma’s staff, seems unacceptable and unreasonable.
“The decision is absurd, and we feel it doesn’t hold up. We hope the truth will emerge. We will argue that the verdict does not hold up.
“We have a strong expectation that when we clarify the case and talk to UEFA, the sentence will change. We really expect it to happen.”
He then spoke further about the impact of Knutsen’s suspension ahead of the match at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
“If there’s one thing we’re good at, it’s shifting attention to what’s going to happen on the pitch. But of course it upsets us. Both what happened at Aspmyra and UEFA’s judgement.”
“But we’ll work and talk together and we’ll play an important game on Thursday, so it’s important to prepare for it well.”
“We have several different people who focus on the upcoming appeal to UEFA and the match at the Stadio Olimpico. It will be tragic if Knutsen can’t be there. It’s not just about this game, it’s about the kind of values we want football to have.”
Bodo/Glimt and Roma have sparked a surprising rivalry thanks to the Europa Conference League this season, starting with the Norwegian side’s shock 6-1 win in their first group stage meeting.
A 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico a few weeks later confirmed that their initial victory was well earned and a 2-1 win in their first leg of their knockout clash only added fuel to the fire.
Thomassen (dg Bodo): “La decisione della Uefa è inaccettabile e irragionevole” https://t.co/Ek0P1Qqff2
— informazione sport (@infoitsport) April 12, 2022
This ‘rivalry’ never fails to crack me up.
I am still trying to figure out the relevance of this Conference League. Except more money for UEFA. Just more wear and tear on players, and on clubs.
Knutsen is the victim of it all .. He’s the one attacked forced to defend himself while Nuno Santos pinning him into a wall grabbing Knutsen’s throat … Jose and Pellegrino are both Liers who tries to spinn the truth the captain should also be suspended for twisting the truth, hell even Jose since it seems like this was his masterplan all along
Let’s hope the Bodos go the way of the dodo in Rome..