AS Roma CEO Italo Zanzi tonight expressed his disappointment that fans in Indonesia will not get the chance to see some of the club’s stars after five players were refused entry to the country.
After touching down in Jakarta for the first time in the club’s history just before 6pm local time, Indonesian immigration ruled that Seydou Doumbia, Gervinho, Victor Ibarbo, Adem Ljajic and Antonio Sanabria were not allowed to proceed through customs with their team-mates. The five players will now fly home to Rome tonight whilst the rest of the squad will take part in ‘AS Roma Indonesia Day 2015’ at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Saturday.
Although clearly upset about the fact that Rudi Garcia will not have his full squad at his disposal for the last leg of the club’s summer tour, Zanzi’s biggest disappointment was reserved for the Indonesian fans who were desperate to see all of their heroes in the flesh for the first time.
“The reception that we received at the airport, along the streets and at the hotel was sincerely the best reception that I have seen anywhere,” Zanzi told a packed press conference at the Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta. “Thank you Indonesia. You have certainly have proved that you are as big Roma fans as anywhere in the world.
“It’s an honour to be here in Indonesia but we apologize for our delay. We had an unfortunate situation at the airport that was very frustrating as five of our players were not allowed in the country. They are now on their way back to Rome. It’s real disappointment for us, given that we’ve made a substantial effort to be here.
“Despite some of the issues with local football, we organized ‘AS Roma Indonesia Day 2015’ and we wanted our full team to be here. Unfortunately that now won’t be the case and it’s not a positive thing for the players, for the club – who did everything that we were asked to do – but, most importantly, for the Indonesian fans because they are why we are here.
“But this frustrating situation aside, we will continue to make this as positive an experience as possible for the club, for Indonesia and, most importantly, for our Indonesian fans.”
Radja Nainggolan, who joined Zanzi for the press conference, meanwhile expressed his delight to return to the country where his father was born.
“I’m glad to be back,” Radja told his fans in the audience. “I first visited Indonesia two years ago and I’m happy to be here now. The first time I came, I received a lot of affection and since then it’s become more and more. It’s a special country for me.”
