Leandro Paredes, Mats Hummels and Evan N'Dicka celebrate the derby victory. © ANSA / ETTORE FERRARI

Actor Hummels? Roman derby causes debate

After AS Roma’s clear 2-0 victory in the Italian capital derby against Lazio, a headbutt scene involving former international player Mats Hummels continues to cause discussion.

06 January 2025

From: dpa/sn

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri expressed regret after the game: "I'm sorry for what happened at the end." Shortly before the end, players and coaches from both teams attacked each other in the Stadio Olimpico. Despite the victory, Roma (10th) are still twelve points behind city rivals Lazio (4th) in the table.

The trigger was a scene in the third minute of stoppage time on Sunday evening, when Roma were clearly in the lead. Hummels, the 2014 world champion, fouled his Argentinian opponent Valentin Castellanos on the sideline. When they got up, they both clashed heads. Suddenly the German fell to the ground, put both hands over his face and indicated that he had been headbutted by the Lazio attacker.

No clear images: Opinions divided over headbutt scene

The TV images show the Argentinian kicking Hummels' left thigh. The referee then gave Castellanos the red card. Opinions about the scene are divided. The sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport spoke on Monday of “total chaos”. The daily newspaper La Repubblica on the other hand, only recognized "a traditional brawl in the final minutes, as is typical of the Roman derby." At the same time, she acknowledged that Hummels had performed flawlessly, saying that Castellanos had provoked him.

Mats Hummels triggered a wild pack formation. © ANSA / ETTORE FERRARI

The sports newspaper Tuttosport wrote, however, that the former Bundesliga professional from Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich had only faked the punch in the face. "In no time at all, both benches were on the pitch." Corriere dello Sport expressed surprise at the German's quick recovery. "You see how Hummels, in the middle of his recovery, first asks for the fans' support, then smiles and dances wildly when he returns to the dressing room after the party with the fans."

Batons and pyrotechnics confiscated

During duels between the two capital clubs, clashes between the sometimes fiercely feuding fan groups often occur. On Sunday evening, the police again used water cannon to prevent things from getting worse. At least one ultra was arrested. In addition, several dozen batons, firecrackers and rockets were confiscated. The police also removed anti-Semitic leaflets from circulation. There is a hard core of neo-fascists among Lazio fans.