AS Roma coach handed 3-match European ban

AS Roma’s assistant coach, Salvatore Foti, has been handed a three-match European ban after an altercation in the Gialorossi’s UEFA Europa League quarterfinal second-leg win over Feyenoord.

Roma dumped Feyenoord out of the competition thanks to two extra-time goals from Stephan El-Sharawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini in an eventual 4-1 second-leg triumph.

However, the win was marred by Roma’s assistant coach, Foti’s altercation with Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez, which led to the Gialorossi man getting his marching orders for violent conduct.

Foti was adjudged to have punched the Mexican forward, during the game, and UEFA’s disciplinary committee has handed the Roma coach an extended ban spanning three matches.

Foti served the first match of his suspension during Roma’s 1-0 semifinal first-leg win over Bayer Leverkusen, where the Gialorossi came out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from 20-year-old Edoardo Bove.

Foti will now also miss the semifinal second leg against Bayer Leverkusen as well as the final if Roma make it, meaning his European season is over, regardless of Roma’s results in the semifinals.

The Italian side is looking to reach back-to-back European finals and win a second European title in a row after not winning a continental trophy in 61 years, but will now have to do it without their assistant manager