Zaniolo accused of 'provocative behaviour' by Roma

Former Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo has been accused of provoking Roma's youth-team players - pinch 2 of them reportedly "struck" pursuing a lucifer connected Monday.

The alleged incident happened aft Fiorentina's Under-20s hit their Roma counterparts successful nan Italian Primavera semi-final.

Zaniolo - who joined Fiorentina connected indebtedness from Galatasaray successful February, having near Roma successful 2023 - attended nan match.

Roma alleged, external that Zaniolo entered their dressing room aft nan lucifer and "engaged successful provocative behaviour towards immoderate of nan Giallorossi younker players".

"During nan confrontation, 2 players from nan Primavera squad were reportedly physically struck," a nine connection added.

"AS Roma cannot but firmly condemn immoderate shape of fierce behaviour aliases behaviour that does not align pinch nan values of sport."

Zaniolo, responding to nan claims in a statement, external released by Fiorentina, said: "At nan extremity of nan lucifer I went down to nan locker room to congratulate nan Fiorentina boys and past I went to nan Roma locker room to opportunity hullo and congratulate them connected nan season.

"At a definite constituent they started insulting maine so, astatine that point, to debar nan business degenerating, I preferred to leave."

The 25-year-old did not reside Roma's declare that 2 of their players were struck.

Zaniolo - who scored nan winning extremity for Roma successful nan 2022 Uefa Conference League last - near Roma successful 2023 to subordinate Galatasaray, and has since had indebtedness spells astatine Villa, Atalanta and Fiorentina.