Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini insists Daniele De Rossi did not throw a punch to the face of Mauro Icardi last Sunday.
The Giallorossi player was handed a three match ban for suspension for the offence, a punishment that was upheld this afternoon despite an appeal.
Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini insists Daniele De Rossi did not throw a punch to the face of Mauro Icardi last Sunday.
The Giallorossi player was handed a three match ban for suspension for the offence, a punishment that was upheld this afternoon despite an appeal.
“The offence doesn’t exist, that is my opinion and I will always defend it,” Sabatini told the Roma Channel.
“I know it won’t be very popular but what Daniele did was something tactical.
“When players are battling for space in dead ball situations they stand their ground and they try to stop the opponent.
“He did that in a way that was a bit too exuberant, but he did not punch the opponent.
“He touched him with one hand on the head and then with the other he tried to throw off his opponent.
“There was no malice in it.”