Roma has voiced strong opposition to the rescheduling of their Serie A match against Udinese, condemning what they deem an “unfair decision” that places them at a disadvantage in the upcoming Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen. The club released a statement expressing their discontent with the official decision to play the remaining 20 minutes of the suspended match on April 25 at 19:00 UK time (18:00 GMT).
In their statement, Roma highlighted their contributions to UEFA rankings, particularly with four consecutive European semi-final appearances, which have helped secure five slots for Italian teams in the next edition of the Champions League. President Casini’s decision to proceed with the rescheduled match against Udinese was met with criticism from Roma, who view it as a setback for Italian football as a whole. The club emphasized their commitment to overcoming this perceived injustice with the support of their fans.
Series of Unfortunate Events
The Serie A Week 32 encounter between Roma and Udinese took a dramatic turn when the match was suspended in the 72nd minute due to Evan Ndicka experiencing chest pains and breathing difficulties. Although initial concerns pointed towards a cardiac issue, it was later revealed that Ndicka had suffered a collapsed lung. Following the incident, the match was halted as Ndicka was stretchered off the field and subsequently taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
As per Serie A regulations, the match must resume from the point of suspension, with the scoreline locked at 1-1. Consequently, the final 20 minutes of play have been scheduled to take place on April 25 at 19:00 UK time (18:00 GMT). Roma had appealed for an alternative date, citing concerns over their tight schedule, especially with their subsequent match against Napoli slated for April 28 and the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen on May 2. However, their request was denied, leaving Roma feeling aggrieved by the lack of flexibility in the scheduling process.
