Former Roma player, Nicolo Zaniolo, has been caught in a fight with youth players in Roma.

Nicolò Zaniolo, the 25-year-old Fiorentina winger, has denied allegations of punching two Roma youth team players after their Primavera youth league title playoff semifinal match on Monday.

According to Roma’s statement, Zaniolo allegedly entered the Primavera team’s dressing room and engaged in provocative behavior towards some of the youth players, resulting in two players being physically struck.

Zaniolo claimed he went to the Roma locker room to congratulate them on their season, but they started insulting him, prompting him to leave to avoid escalating the situation. Roma has condemned any form of aggressive conduct or behaviour that doesn’t align with the values of sport.

Zaniolo could face a lengthy ban if found guilty, and the Italian soccer federation has reportedly opened an investigation into the matter. He joined Fiorentina on loan from Galatasaray in February after previous loan spells at Aston Villa and Atalanta, with Fiorentina having an option to make his stay permanent this summer.