Petrachi: Football is for everyone

Roma sporting director Gianluca Petrachi has apologised for any upset caused by his choice of words in the wake of Roma’s game against Cagliari on Sunday.

The Giallorossi drew 1-1 at the Stadio Olimpico, having seen a potential winning goal from forward Nikola Kalinic not given by officials during the final minutes of the match.

Petrachi, who spoke to the media in the immediate aftermath of the game, has acknowledged that his reaction to that disappointment was not understood in the way he had meant it.

“I am sorry if anyone was offended by the words I used," Petrachi said.

"It was not my intention at all to suggest that football is only a man’s game and not for young ladies.

“I was very upset with the decision to rule out what I thought was a perfectly good goal and I wanted to make the point that football is – and has always been - a physical, contact sport.

“Football is for everyone and at Roma, we’re very proud of our women’s team and our role in promoting women’s football.”