Roma’s Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa was assaulted by Lazio fans on Sunday night as he celebrated the end of the Serie A season, according to reports in Italy.
The former Newcastle defender, who scored the winning goal in the Rome derby last month, was out with friends at the Gilda nightclub in the city centre after his side were beaten 2-1 by Palermo on Sunday.
According to a report in the Corriere della Sera newspaper, the France international was with two friends when he was approached by a group of Lazio supporters. They removed their belts and attempted to strike Yanga-Mbiwa before his friends intervened and police arrived. Reports stated that there were 113 witnesses to the incident and that the player escaped unhurt.
Earlier on Sunday, a group of Roma fans paid tribute to Yanga-Mbiwa, who has become a cult hero among Giallorossi fans, by organising a procession from Milvio bridge to the Stadio Olimpico. However, they are facing criticism after several decided to “black up”, with Roma’s official English language Twitter account retweeting a picture of the group.
Genialità. 😂👏 #YangaMbiwa #Mapou #RomaPalermo @YangaMbiwa @ASRomaEN pic.twitter.com/ZpqeyFxfV3
— DajeRoma13® (@dajeroma13) May 31, 2015
