Roma's Alessandro Florenzi celebrates goal, hugs grandmother, gets booked, and then gets fined by club
AS Roma's Alessandro Florenzi (bottom L) celebrates with relatives on the tribune after scoring against Cagliari during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome
Roma's Alessandro Florenzi picked up one of the most bizarre bookings ever witnessed on Sunday - for running into the stands and hugging his grandmother after he scored in the 2-0 victory over Cagliari. And it gets worse for the striker, he will also be fined by his club for the celebration.
It was his Nonna's first visit to the Stadio Olmpico after all.
Florenzi had also made an assist for the first goal of the game, when Chelsea target Mattia Destro put away his low cross in the 10th minute.
Just three minutes later, Florenzi ran onto Gervinho's pass and powered his shot past Alessio Cragno in the Cagliari goal.
He then rushed to the stands to embrace his grandmother, who was crying tears of joy. But the curmudgeon of a referee, Sebastiano Peruzzo, did not enjoy the heart-warming view, and promptly gave the 23-year-old a yellow card.
"My gran's fantastic," Florenzi told Sky Italia. "It was her first time here. She never came to watch me play even when I was a kid and it would have been easy. This time she's come all this way at the age of 82.
"She told me after I missed that chance for the national team that she would come to the stadium just to see me, but that I had to go and say 'hi' to her."
Roma coach Rudi Garcia confirmed afterwards that he will be fined by the club for breaking their strict code of conduct, which includes punishment for picking up avoidable bookings.
"He's going to pay a fine," Rudi Garcia said. "But he will be happy to pay it.
"It was a beautiful image, to see his grandmother so delighted and moved. I love to see moments like this."
