ROME (AP) Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman has had a two-match ban lifted on appeal, clearing him to play key matches against AC Milan and Juventus.
Strootman had been banned for instigating a melee after scoring during Sunday’s Rome derby.
After the goal and an extended celebration, words appeared to be exchanged as Roma’s players walked back onto the field alongside Lazio’s bench.
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Strootman appeared to toss water from a bottle at Lazio’s Danilo Cataldi, who reacted by tugging the neck of Strootman’s shirt as the Netherlands midfielder walked away.
That prompted both benches to get involved.
Cataldi, who had been on the bench, was given a red card while Strootman was shown a yellow.
The two-match ban was decided on Monday, with league officials deciding that Strootman simulated falling to the ground after Cataldi grabbed his shirt.
However, the football federation’s appeals court determined that the simulation could not be proven.
Besides a one-match ban for the red card, Cataldi’s full punishment has not been announced yet.
Roma won the derby 2-0.
The second-place Giallorossi host Milan on Monday and then visit Serie A leader Juventus.