Roma owner banned from UEFA matches for three months

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The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has issued a three-month ban on James Pallotta, owner of Serie A’s Roma from UEFA matches for his comments in an interview after the second-round match against Liverpool in the semi-finals of 2017-18 Champions League in May.

Though Roma defeated Liverpool 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico, they were still knocked out. After the match, furious Pallotta expressed his resentment to the reporters and mocked at the referees. “Again, congratulations to Liverpool, they're a great team, but if we don't get VAR in the Champions League, stuff like this is an absolute joke,” said Pallotta.

Roma's 4-2 victory at the Stadio Olimpico did not stop them from being eliminated by Liverpool. /VCG Photo

Soon UEFA said they will look into Roma owner’s speech. According to the sanctions announced, Pallotta will be forbidden from attending all UEFA matches for three months, starting from the first Champions League match of his team. He is not allowed to communicate with coaches or players in the technical area during the match or enter the dressing room or the tunnel before or after the match.

Moreover, Roma were fined 22,250 US dollars for multiple charges including fans throwing fireworks at the pitch. Before these announced sanctions, the team already received a 58,590-US-dollar fine for a violent incident that led to the serious head injury of Liverpool fan Sean Cox before the match at Anfield on April 27. Two Italian men were charged related to the incident.

Referees of the match became blame targets for James Pallotta. /VCG Photo

Roma were unhappy about the sanctions and said that Pallotta made the speech “in the heat of the moment” and should not receive a three-month ban from matches. Football Italia said that the club were expected to appeal.

Roma’s Twitter account posted on Friday “UEFA appeal incoming from Pallotta ‘If I’m not allowed in locker room, not sure where I get my pre-match massage?’”