Brighton fans got their own back on Roma’s ultras with a jokey sign about Francesco Totti and pizza during their Europa League clash on Thursday night.
Roma supporters held up a vile banner with an X-rated message about the late Queen Elizabeth II during their 4-0 win in the first leg.
So when the roles were reversed, Seagulls supporters made their own banner which was more light-hearted – but on an extremely controversial topic.
The Brighton banner was in Italian for their visiting foes, but in English, it read: ‘Totti loves pineapple on pizza’.
Italians firmly believe that pineapple does not belong on top of their most famous export – and Totti spent his entire career with Roma, as well as winning the World Cup with his country in 2006.
Totti played 786 games for Roma during his time with the club, and scored 307 goals.
The Brighton sign set a different tone to the banner at the Stadio Olimpico last week, which read: ‘The Queen gave b******s’.
Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September 2022 at the age of 96, with her son Charles taking the throne following her death.
Two Brighton fans were stabbed by ‘six or seven people wearing masks’ the day before the first leg in Rome.
Brighton also accused Roma’s supporters of throwing bottles, coins and lighters at the away section – and called for UEFA and the Italian police to take ‘immediate action’ against those responsible.
In the second leg, Danny Welbeck scored from the edge of the penalty area to reduce the deficit, but Brighton could find no further goals as they were eliminated from the competition at the Round of 16.
The Italian side also had the ball in the back of the net to extend their aggregate lead, but Sardar Azmoun’s incredible acrobatic goal was ruled out by the referee, who judged his use of a high boot to be dangerous.
Roma, who sit fifth in Serie A, will find out their next European opponents with Friday’s draw.
The Italian club could find themselves up against English opposition again, with both Liverpool and West Ham booking their places in the final eight with comprehensive wins on Thursday.
