Roma slammed the ‘unfair decision’ to reschedule their Serie A game with Udinese to April 25, putting them at a ‘disadvantage’ in the Europa League semi-final with Bayer Leverkusen.
The club released a statement this evening protesting the decision, which is now official, to play the remaining 20 minutes on April 25 at 19.00 UK time (18.00 GMT).
“AS Roma with its results and four consecutive European semifinals contributed to UEFA ranking and thus five slots for Italian teams in the next edition of the Champions League, like few others.
“Despite that, President Casini took today an unfair decision, as it holds, against AS Roma forcing us to face Bayer 04 Leverkusen at disadvantage, which represents an unclear step backward for the entire Italian football system.
“AS Roma team, players and staff just reaffirm their commitment to fight this unjustified adversity and achieve, with the support of our incredible fans, the best season goals.”
The Serie A Week 32 match was suspended at the 72nd minute when Evan Ndicka went to ground with chest pains and breathing difficulties, as he was stretchered off and then rushed to hospital for further tests.
There was no cardiac issue, only a collapsed lung causing the pain, but at the time all parties considered it the right thing to suspend the match.
As per Serie A rules, it has to be resumed from where it stopped, with the score at 1-1, so the final 20 minutes have been scheduled for April 25 at 19.00 UK time (18.00 GMT).
Roma had asked specifically not to play it then, because it means their next match against Napoli therefore has to be on Sunday April 28, giving them little time to prepare for the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen on May 2.
Bayer Leverkusen will get an extra day off, as they are expected to play in the Bundesliga on the Saturday.
According to reports, Atalanta, Verona and Empoli blocked the Roma request to play the Udinese remaining minutes later in May.
This is because their result will inevitably affect the races for both a top five finish and relegation.