The Malta Independent 14 June 2025, Saturday
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Roma president James Pallotta to pay fine after jumping into fountain

Wednesday, 11 April 2018, 18:30 Last update: about 8 years ago

Roma president James Pallotta agreed to pay a fine and apologized to Mayor Virginia Raggi on Wednesday after jumping into a downtown fountain to celebrate the win over Barcelona.

Surrounded by a crowd of flag-waving Roma fans, Pallotta performed a backward somersault in his dress shirt and pants into a fountain in the Piazza del Popolo.

Pallotta was ecstatic after Roma surprised Barcelona with a 3-0 win Tuesday to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit in the Champions League quarterfinals.

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Pallotta, a Boston executive who was part of the four-man American team that purchased Roma in 2011, is also a minority owner of the Boston Celtics.

City ordinances call for a 500 euro ($600) fine for wading into historic fountains.

"We spoke and he apologized," Raggi said. "He did it in a moment of excitement but he realizes the importance of the example he needs to provide. And clearly he'll pay the fine."

Pallotta was to see Raggi later Wednesday for a previously scheduled meeting.

Roma is still seeking final approval to start construction on a new stadium inspired by the Colosseum.

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