Roma director Mauro Baldissoni “stunned and perplexed” by Kevin Strootman's two-match ban for simulation, announcing an appeal ahead of Milan and Juventus games.
The midfielder was given the suspension this afternoon by the Disciplinary Commission, using video evidence to suggest Strootman “simulated” violent conduct when the back of his shirt neck was tugged by Lazio midfielder Danilo Cataldi.
Roma director Mauro Baldissoni “stunned and perplexed” by Kevin Strootman's two-match ban for simulation, announcing an appeal ahead of Milan and Juventus games.
The midfielder was given the suspension this afternoon by the Disciplinary Commission, using video evidence to suggest Strootman “simulated” violent conduct when the back of his shirt neck was tugged by Lazio midfielder Danilo Cataldi.
Cataldi was sent off from the bench and given a one-game ban.
“We were stunned and frankly perplexed to hear this news. Obviously the appeal has already been lodged and will be heard before the Milan game,” Baldissoni told Roma TV.
“It’s extremely debatable, as this video evidence was called ‘simulation’ and yet Cataldi was himself banned for violent conduct.
“Strootman falls because he was pulled and got straight back up, so there was no simulation. I expect anyone would react when feeling pulled back from the neck and not knowing what was going on. He feared he’d be attacked.
“Unfortunately, for years the limits of the sporting justice system have been amplified and Roma paid for that, which leaves us disconcerted.
“Strootman was straight back on his feet two seconds later, which means that even if he hadn’t fallen, Cataldi would still have been banned for the tug on the back of his neck and therefore simulation is irrelevant.”
Baldissoni hinted the decision could well be affected by the fixture list, as Strootman’s ban will rule him out of top of the table showdowns with Milan and Juventus.
“This is a critical moment of the season, we are about to face the first and third teams in the table and, coincidentally, we run into this two-match ban.
“This is the first time that the rule has been applied in this manner, so yet again Roma have been treated as the guinea pigs for the sporting law and with two huge games on the horizon.
“We hope there will be a hearing on Friday. The club will do everything in our power to defend ourselves and ask the fans to stand by us, despite the many situations they need to face.
“Unfortunately, we can only battle this injustice with the weapons at our disposal. I again invite everyone to attend Roma-Milan. Roma are strong as a club and fans, so it’s apt we come together.”