Bodyguards accompanying the Roma squad during a team dinner attacked two journalists, sources have confirmed to Football Italia.
Jose Mourinho’s men have yet to secure a European spot through Serie A, but are also preparing for next week’s Conference League final against Feyenoord.
The players were at the Pierluigi restaurant in central Rome with only the English trio of Tammy Abraham, Chris Smalling and Ainsley Maitland-Niles as well French midfielder Jordan Veretout missing.
Sources with knowledge of the incident have told Football Italia that the players organised the dinner without informing the club and once Roma were made aware of the plans, hired a bodyguard from an external agency.
The players did not choose a private suite but sat in the open and two journalists went to the first floor to take a picture of the squad – an act which took the bodyguards by the surprise.
The bodyguards aggressively asked the journalists to delete the images before requesting they pass along their phones.
A refusal to comply saw things get worse when the bodyguards began manhandling the two journalists with the altercation only ending after local police arrived on the scene.
A disturbing video emerged on social media of a man shouting for help while a security member aggressively pushes him against the wall.
Sources added to Football Italia that Roma apologised to the journalists in question and the newspapers they represent – and informed the external agency they will not be using their bodyguards in future.
Mourinho blamed it on the referees, no doubt.
@nyr2k2 – get a life please
Thuggish behaviour, just like Moronho likes it. Farmer mentality.
@magic I have a wonderful life, thank you! Taking shots at constant whiner Mourinho is just a fun little exercise for me. Sorry to trigger you.
Good, these journalists need to learn to show Roma some respect
@moaninho
Ohh calling someone a farmer seems to be the new thing. How original. 😭😂😂