Zaniolo accepts 15,000 plea bargain for ugly brawl with Roma teenagers | OneFootball

Italy and Galatasaray player Nicolò Zaniolo has worked out a €15,000 fine as part of a plea bargain following his bizarre altercation with two Roma youth team players.

The incident occurred after a Primavera youth semi-final between Roma and Fiorentina at the Viola Park ground on May 25.

Zaniolo, who at the time was on loan at Fiorentina, went into the locker room after the game and here is where the two versions of the events differ significantly.

Roma and Fiorentina had different versions of Zaniolo clash

VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Nicolo Zaniolo of Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between Verona and Fiorentina at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 23, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Roma accused him of drunkenly insulting and physically attacking the two teenagers, also urinating in their locker room, while he insisted that he had merely responded to provocation and walked away.

There was an investigation, and it concluded today with Zaniolo expressing his regret at the incident, having already made a public apology on social media.

The result of the FIGC investigation also found there were no slaps or punches thrown, merely a push on the back of the neck to one of the two players.

They both went to hospital for check-ups, but no injuries were found, and one of them was pictured five days later playing paddle ball.

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Nicolo’ Zaniolo of ACF Fiorentina in action during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Lecce at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 28, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Zaniolo accepted a plea bargain by paying a €15,000 fine, but with a warning that if he falls foul of the disciplinary commission again, they will come down hard on the 26-year-old.

Fiorentina had already decided not to activate their option to buy the player from Galatasaray.