Roma appeal against 3-0 default defeat to Verona rejected

ROME (AP) — Roma’s appeal against a default loss to Hellas Verona was rejected Tuesday by an Italian soccer federation court.

The match — the league opener for both teams — ended in a 0-0 draw on Sept. 19 but Roma was issued a 3-0 loss by Serie A’s disciplinary judge three days later for using an ineligible player.

Midfielder Amadou Diawara started the match but was not listed on Roma’s 25-man team list. Diawara, who turned 23 in July, was no longer eligible for Roma's under-22 team like last season.

The FIGC court of appeal ruled Roma’s appeal was “unfounded” and confirmed Verona’s 3-0 victory.

Roma is currently fourth in Serie A, three points behind leader AC Milan.

The court also heard Napoli’s appeal against its 3-0 loss and one-point penalty for not showing up for its Serie A match at Juventus because of coronavirus cases. The outcome of that appeal is expected later this week.

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