Zamparini appeals against Roma goal

Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini is launching an appeal against the Roma goal that decided the weekend’s clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

With the game poised at 0-0, the hosts benefited from a quick-witted ball boy who spotted the ball immediately to allow Rodrigo Taddei to take a corner kick before Palermo were ready.

Amantino Mancini headed home what proved to be the only goal of the game while the Rosanero were still trying to adjust after the dismissal of Leandro Rinaudo and reshuffle the defence.


"I looked back over the rules and they state that the ball boy must return the ball to the player," Zamparini explained on Europa 7.

As the ball boy put the ball on the trident himself, the goal could technically have been disallowed.

Palermo have sent a fax to the Lega Calcio demanding that the game be declared void and asking for the fixture to be replayed or for the Sicilians to be given a 3-0 win.

There is no precedent for such action in the history of Italian football and it remains to be seen whether further action will be taken, but the episode looks set to stir controversy for weeks to come.

Source: C4 Football Italia