Roma have released a statement confirming that they provided assistance and information to the relevant authorities after the alleged assault on Bodo/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen.
The 53-year-old Norwegian coach was allegedly assaulted by Roma goalkeeping coach Nuno Santos following the end of Bodo/Glimt’s 2-1 Europa Conference League win over the Giallorossi yesterday. The Portuguese trainer reportedly grabbed Knutsen by the neck and pushed him against a wall in rage.
Below is Roma’s statement on the situation in full:
“AS Roma would like to note that, following the conclusion of the match on Thursday evening, club directors and other members of the coaching staff remained at the Aspmyra Stadion until 00:45 local time, purely for the purpose of providing UEFA and local authorities with all the details of what transpired in the areas outside the changing rooms following the full-time whistle.
“The club has total confidence that UEFA and its various bodies will ultimately establish with clarity and precision where responsibility lies for the events that occurred, events that we have already described and explained in detail to all the relevant authorities present on site.
“Finally, the club would like to emphasise that it has always conducted itself in a manner that upholds the values of fair play and sportsmanship, both on and off the pitch: the same principles that we hope will be on display throughout next week’s second leg.”
Bodo/Glimt announced their attention to file a police complaint against Nuno Santos earlier today, claiming that UEFA’s initial response was insufficient.
This is not the first time that Nuno Santos has found himself in hot water as a result of his short temper; during his spell at Tottenham, also under Mourinho, he was given a one-match ban and handed an £8000 fine after verbally abusing the referee following a 1-1 draw with Newcastle.