Apr 10, 2024, 03:08 AM ET

AS Roma defender Gianluca Mancini has been fined €5,000 euros ($5,430) but avoided a ban for waving a flag with a giant rat at the end of their clash with Lazio in Serie A on Saturday.

Mancini — who said he was “the happiest man in the world” after his goal gave Roma a 1-0 win in the capital derby — sparked controversy when he waved a huge flag with Lazio colors that also had a giant rat painted on it as he celebrated with his teammates in front of the Giallorossi fans.

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The Italian Football Federation opened an investigation the following day and, after reading its report, the league’s sporting judge opted to sanction Mancini with a fine.

Mancini, 27, had apologized after the match. “I didn’t want to offend anyone,” he said.

“I took the first flag they gave me.”


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