Roma accuse ex-Aston Villa star Nicolo Zaniolo of 'hitting' two youth players as club issues shocking statement after Primavera clash with Fiorentina

AS Roma have released a formal statement suggesting that Italy international Nicolo Zaniolo barged into the Roma Primavera dressing room, where he allegedly engaged in provocative behaviour that escalated into a physical altercation, leading to two players reportedly being struck.

Zaniola initially emerged as one of Italian football's most highly-rated young players, although injuries have hampered his career. Now under contract at Galatasaray, Atalanta cut short his season-long loan in January, leading to him moving to another Serie A club in Fiorentina. The alleged incident in question occurred after a Primavera (Italian Under-19 competition) play-off game between Fiorentina and one of Zaniolo's former clubs, Roma, with the first-team player having watched the game from the stands.

Roma's statement regarding the incident reads: "AS Roma announces that, following today’s match, a regrettable incident occurred involving player Nicolò Zaniolo. According to initial reconstructions, the player allegedly entered the Primavera team’s dressing room after the match and engaged in provocative behavior towards some of the Giallorossi youth players. During the confrontation, two players from the Primavera squad were reportedly physically struck. AS Roma cannot but firmly condemn any form of aggressive conduct or behavior that does not align with the values of sport."

Zaniolo, meanwhile, gave his side of the story after Fiorentina released an official statement: "At the end of the match I went down to the locker room to congratulate the Fiorentina boys and then I went to the Roma locker room to say hello and congratulate them on the season, but at a certain point they started insulting me so, at that point, to avoid the situation degenerating, I preferred to leave."

Zaniolo will return to parent club Galatasaray while a thorough investigation into the incident is conducted by Italian authorities and the FIGC. Disciplinary action could be taken against all players involved. It remains to be seen where the midfielder will be playing his football next season, with the 25-year-old under contract with the Turkish champions until 2027.