Zaniolo investigated over alleged attack on Roma youth players

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) launched a formal inquiry on Tuesday into Zaniolo, who has been accused by his former club Roma of provoking a confrontation with their youth players following the semi-final of the Primavera Championship.

The match, held at Fiorentina's Viola Park training ground, ended 2-1 in favour of the Florentine side. The FIGC's disciplinary body opened the case to clarify the events in the dressing rooms, where conflicting accounts have emerged from both clubs.

Roma, where Zaniolo played for four seasons (2018-2023) and famously scored the decisive goal in their UEFA Conference League final triumph—the club's first European silverware in 61 years—claimed that the player provoked their youth team and assaulted two players.

In a formal statement, Roma said: "The player entered the dressing room of the Primavera side after the match and behaved provocatively towards several of our youth players. During the altercation, two of our Primavera players were allegedly physically assaulted."

Fiorentina, however, strongly denied this version, issuing their own statement with direct quotes from Zaniolo himself, who has maintained a strained relationship with Roma's fans and management since his departure.

"In relation to the events following the Primavera Championship semi-final between Fiorentina and Roma, the club wishes to relay the following statement from Nicolo Zaniolo: 'At the end of the match, I went down to the dressing room to congratulate the Fiorentina boys, and then I entered Roma's dressing room to greet them and congratulate them on their season. However, at one point, they began insulting me, so to prevent the situation from escalating, I chose to leave.'," Fiorentina said.

In the coming hours, the FIGC's disciplinary authorities are expected to begin formal questioning. If Roma's version—that Zaniolo assaulted their youth players—is substantiated, the Fiorentina forward could face a significant sporting ban for next season.