Gianluca Mancini thanks Roma fans for crowdfunding to cover his fine for waving an insulting anti-Lazio banner, but insists that money will go to charity.
The defender scored the winning header in the Derby della Capitale last week and celebrated with the supporters under the Curva Sud.
That included waving flags that were given to him by the ultras, one of which had ‘Anti-Lazio’ written on it and another with a large outline of a rat in the Biancocelesti colours.
An investigation was opened and the FIGC fined Mancini €5,000 for the lack of respect towards the opponents.
Roma fans set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money to cover that fine, prompting a response from Mancini on his Instagram account.
“Dear fans, I read that you are raising funds to pay for the fine that was inflicted on me. Once again, I feel you by my side, both on the field and off.
“Obviously, I will cover the cost of the fine, but I would like for you to send the funds raised to La Locanda dei Girasoli, a marvellous charity I was able to get to know recently at Trigoria.
“Thank you to everyone and forza Roma!”
This charity helps find work for people with Down’s Syndrome.
Mancini avoided a Serie A ban for waving the insulting anti-Lazio flag and will not be penalised by the Italy squad either.
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