Roma Flash: Inquiry into Atalanta clash, Totti's basketball role, Champions League return this week

AS Roma flew to Turkey on 9 September 2026 for their opening match of the Champions League group stage. The squad gathered at Fiumicino airport in the morning and boarded a direct flight to Istanbul, where they will face Fenerbahce on 10 September in the first round of the tournament. Around forty supporters, mostly young fans, waited outside Terminal 5 to send off the team led by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The players stopped before boarding to sign autographs on official shirts and pose for photographs with the crowd. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen drew the loudest acclaim from supporters, signing items and taking pictures before passing through security checks.

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico was interviewed by the Federal Prosecutor yesterday in connection with an incident involving Atalanta chief executive Luca Percassi at the end of the Roma-Atalanta match. D'Amico provided his account of what occurred as he left the Stadio Olimpico following Gasperini's team's victory. According to reports, D'Amico confirmed the version of events that had emerged in the immediate aftermath of the fixture, stating he was chased and repeatedly insulted by Percassi while departing the stadium. D'Amico maintained he did not respond to the Atalanta executive's provocations. The Federal Prosecutor has also collected testimony from stewards who were present in the area at the time of the incident. The investigation will now proceed to Percassi's hearing, expected in the coming days, allowing him to provide his account. Only after completing its inquiries will the Prosecutor be able to assess any potential developments on the sporting justice front. Roma, which had already publicly backed its sporting director, awaits the conclusions of the investigation. Meanwhile, the club has announced its intention to appeal against restrictions imposed for Monday's away trip to Torino, which currently exclude residents of Rome province from the away section.

Francesco Totti has backed Roma to challenge for the Serie A title under Gian Piero Gasperini, speaking at the presentation of a new basketball project for which he has taken an advisory role. The former captain said: "Roma is among the candidates for the Scudetto together with Inter. I didn't expect this start. In 10, 15 league matches the picture will be clearer. Better not to say anything, we need caution. I'll support alongside my people." Totti's endorsement comes as negotiations over his return to the club's executive structure remain active but stalled. Initial discussions at the start of 2026 have hit an impasse over contract length, remuneration and the precise operational scope of any role. Gasperini has reportedly proposed organising a dinner with Totti without formal agenda. The club's hierarchy is convinced Totti will hold a significant position during the celebrations for the club's centenary, though final approval rests with the Friedkin Group ownership. The legendary number ten played his entire career at Roma and has been in continuous discussions about a return to the club's framework, though concrete terms remain unresolved.