IAFA president defends Pietro Scala over Report investigation into Roma transfers

Tensions between Atalanta chief executive Luca Percassi and Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico have escalated into a formal federal inquiry after confrontations in the tunnel and adjacent areas near the Tribuna Monte Mario during their recent match. Roma issued an official statement condemning Percassi's behaviour, describing it as verbal aggression, while Atalanta disputes the account of events entirely. On 7 September, the Italian Football Federation opened an official case file to clarify what occurred at the Olimpico. No federal inspectors were present at the time of the incident, so Federal Prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné will evaluate all available evidence and attempt a detailed reconstruction. Roma's position centres on an alleged verbal assault from Percassi toward D'Amico, whereas Atalanta contests this characterization. Witnesses present during the episode, including Olimpico stewards, are being heard beginning immediately. The two principal figures involved—D'Amico and Percassi—are scheduled to give statements in the coming days. The federation's inquiry will form the basis for determining what disciplinary action, if any, follows from the confrontation.

Roma are flying this season, and Gian Piero Gasperini has been central to building a unity across the club that extends from the pitch to the boardroom. The coach has overseen a start to the campaign that may rival even the magical 2000–01 season. After comfortable victories over Fiorentina and Lecce, Roma faced a severe test against Atalanta on Saturday and managed not only to win but to overturn the flow of the match—playing what the commentary describes as "winning in the Mourinho way while playing Gasperini football." The side showed genuine compactness in that contest, particularly during difficult moments when they could have faltered; instead, the entire Roma family—players, management, staff and supporters—rallied together. Gasperini has also brought D'Amico onto the coaching staff to ensure everyone speaks the same language, an approach likened to a well-coordinated naval fleet where no one rows against the current. The appointment of the right people and the absence of internal division have created an environment where squad, leadership and fanbase all pull in the same direction. On the pitch, Roma deployed what appeared to be 13 players rather than 11 against Atalanta, a testament to the collective spirit that has taken root. The article contrasts Roma's current harmony with the pattern of internal factions that has plagued the club in the past, noting that some external commentators have already prepared critiques—whether about Zeki Çelik's non-renewal, spending on Rodrigo Mora or Santiago Castro, or other decisions—but results are rendering those arguments moot. The article frames Roma's trajectory as one where polemica (internal dispute) is being actively rejected in favour of unified purpose, suggesting the club is moving in a markedly different direction from its historical tendency toward division.

Roma are prioritising the January transfer window over free-agent signings to strengthen their squad, with left-back Jayden Oosterwolde and forward Endrick among their targets. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma had agreed a €17 million deal with Oosterwolde but pulled out after medicals revealed his injury was more severe than initially expected. However, if he recovers in the coming months, both parties are expected to resume negotiations. Roma are also pursuing attacking reinforcements alongside Oosterwolde, with Endrick and Luiz Henrique identified as priorities. Per Corriere dello Sport, the Real Madrid forward has reportedly told Wesley and Brazilian teammates that a move to Rome could materialise in January. Roma and AC Milan both attempted to persuade Real Madrid to loan out Endrick, but José Mourinho refused to release him. The situation could change if Endrick fails to secure regular playing time or underperforms, potentially opening the door in coming months. Milan subsequently signed Omari Hutchison after missing out on their own targets. Roma's continued focus on Oosterwolde despite their withdrawal suggests eventual acquisition remains likely. The club has free-agent left-back options available but shows no interest in pursuing them, indicating they are not desperate for defensive reinforcements. With Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala performing well in attacking roles, Roma appear reluctant to add another left-footed forward at this stage.

Roma are prioritising the January transfer window over free-agent signings to strengthen their squad, with left-back Jayden Oosterwolde and forward Endrick among their targets. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma had agreed a €17 million deal with Oosterwolde but pulled out after medicals revealed his injury was more severe than initially expected. However, if he recovers in the coming months, both parties are expected to resume negotiations. Roma are also pursuing attacking reinforcements alongside Oosterwolde, with Endrick and Luiz Henrique identified as priorities. Per Corriere dello Sport, the Real Madrid forward has reportedly told Wesley and Brazilian teammates that a move to Rome could materialise in January. Roma and AC Milan both attempted to persuade Real Madrid to loan out Endrick, but José Mourinho refused to release him. The situation could change if Endrick fails to secure regular playing time or underperforms, potentially opening the door in coming months. Milan subsequently signed Omari Hutchison after missing out on their own targets. Roma's continued focus on Oosterwolde despite their withdrawal suggests eventual acquisition remains likely. The club has free-agent left-back options available but shows no interest in pursuing them, indicating they are not desperate for defensive reinforcements. With Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala performing well in attacking roles, Roma appear reluctant to add another left-footed forward at this stage.

A motorcycle collision involving Rome's police escort overshadowed Roma's build-up to their Champions League debut on Thursday. A 63-year-old local police officer suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries when his motorbike collided with a car at the junction of via Baldo degli Ubaldi and via Pieralice during the convoy to the team bus on Monday. The Roma squad and CEO John Galantic witnessed the crash, with Galantic requesting updates on the officer's condition. An investigation is now under way to determine why a vehicle was moving on a road that should have been closed to traffic. Roma have already turned attention to Thursday's Champions League opener against Fenerbahçe in Turkey. The squad undertook a recovery session at Trigoria on Sunday, with departure to Turkey scheduled for Wednesday ahead of the press conference and final training. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will assess Wesley and Evan N'Dicka, while Paulo Dybala's energy levels are being monitored after he played 96 minutes in Saturday's match. Nahuel Molina could start in place of Emanuele Lulli, favoured by his international experience, though Gasperini appears unlikely to make wholesale changes. Away supporters face further disruption. Following the closure of Roma's allocated section at Lecce, the upcoming trip to Turin is also at risk. Torino have suspended ticket sales pending decisions from the relevant authorities. The National Observatory on Sporting Events has deferred evaluation to the CASMS, which must rule on the away fixture. On the bench, Gasperini was stopped mid-celebration after the winning goal against Atalanta on Saturday. Assistant Mauro Fumagalli held the head coach back as he moved toward the Curva Sud, with the restraint serving a disciplinary purpose: Gasperini was already carrying a yellow card, and an exuberant display risked a red card and suspension for the Torino match.

Fabio Capello has praised Roma's form under Gian Piero Gasperini, comparing the current squad's winning mentality to the 2001 Serie A champions. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Roma manager said he sees Roma as Inter's main challengers this season. Capello highlighted the team's one-on-one pressing across the pitch and their ability to create chances through quality passing in the final third. "The Roma has continued on the same path as last season and is maintaining the same attitude with an important playing base and quality: moreover it has fielded a new player, Mora, who has already integrated perfectly into the team's mechanics. I had said it even twenty days ago: the anti-Inter in effect is Roma," Capello said. Capello credited Gasperini with instilling a sacrifice mentality in the players and building the squad alongside sporting director Massara. He praised the depth of Gasperini's squad, noting that the manager wanted two starting-quality players per position—a strategy that showed its value in Saturday's match at the Olimpico through second-half substitutions. The former coach was particularly impressed by the attitude of substitute players coming off the bench, saying they all display the same winning desire without any sense of grievance about being brought on mid-match. Capello highlighted several attacking options available to Gasperini: "Malen-Castro, Dybala-Soulé, Mora and then midfielder Pellegrini: they are options for the league but also for the Champions League. They are quality players who integrate well; Gasp's continuous rotations will also help them give their best. They all play with great determination." He singled out Wesley as the engine on the flank, noting he dominates in Serie A but is now facing a test of strength and maturity in European competition. On Paulo Dybala and Mora, Capello said: "You cannot give up Dybala when he is playing well. And Mora is showing he has class and also concrete finishing. But I also want to emphasise the importance of Soulé: playing even 20 minutes in the second half, he is someone who can make the difference as he did against Atalanta." Capello drew explicit parallels with his own Roma title-winning side: "Many similarities. My first year at Roma we understood we were strong, then we completed the squad with Batistuta." On whether a northern coach's temperament suits Rome's volatile environment, he reflected: "I am always convinced that you need the players to win. But at Rome it is true that you easily move from exaltation to depression: equilibrium is always necessary, a bit of cold blood—perhaps someone recognises these characteristics in me and in Gasp." Regarding the January transfer window, Capello said Roma should only sign if the right profile emerges: "Taking for the sake of taking, no. If anything, we would need to sign a player who can make an impact."