ROMA look set to have their season-opening 0-0 draw turned into a 3-0 LOSS after a bizarre admin error regarding Amadou Diawara’s age.
The Serie A giants played out a goalless stalemate in their first match of the season at Hellas Verona.
Roma could be forced to forfeit their 0-0 draw with Hellas Verona after Diawara played while technically unregisteredCredit: AP:Associated Press
But now Roma face the prospect of that being changed to a 3-0 defeat.
Ahead of the season, the Italian giants submitted their 25-man squad list.
However, they mistakenly listed Arsenal target Diawara – who turned 23 in July – under the Under-22 section of the list.
Under-22s players do NOT count towards the total of 25 – meaning an extra player can be named in the squad.
That means Diawara was technically not registered for the game – of which he played 89 minutes.
Diawara started the game alongside Jordan Veretout in midfield and was subbed off with one minute of normal time to play.
Due to the gaffe, Roma could be forced to forfeit the game – which is immediately counted as a 3-0 loss.
However, Roma could attempt to plead ignorance.
Diawara was accidentally left off Roma’s 25-man squad list.Credit: AFP or licensors
They only submitted 21 names in their squad list, rather than 25.
The club could therefore argue it was an honest mistake, as there would have been room for him regardless.
However, there is precedent for a result being overturned.
Sassuolo saw their 2-1 win over Pescala in 2016 become a 3-0 loss after they fielded an ineligible player.
Roma could use the point from their 0-0 draw, too – with champions Juventus next on the cards.
Five-a-side football on hold as Boris Johnson announces new coronavirus restrictions on indoor sports
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
