Five Roma players are headed back to Italy and will miss the club's visit to Indonesia after being denied entry into the country.
Gervinho, Adem Ljajic, Victor Ibarbo, Seydou Doumbia and Antonio Sanabria were not allowed to pass through customs as the team arrived to take part in "AS Roma Indonesia Day 2015" on their way home from competing in the International Champions Cup in Australia.
Zanzi upset for fans as five players are forced to fly home http://t.co/fceiQWS2wh #ASRomaDay2015 pic.twitter.com/ZCrC0TuMGj
- AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) July 24, 2015
The reasons the five players were turned away is unclear at this time.
"We had an unfortunate situation at the airport that was very frustrating as five of our players were not allowed in the country," club CEO Italo Zanzi said.
"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."
Gervinho and Doumbia hail from the Ivory Coast, while Ljajic is Serbian, Ibarbo is Colombian and Sanabria is from Paraguay.
Despite the incident, Zanzi did thank local fans for the reception the team were given upon arrival, saying it's the best the team have received anywhere during their preseason tour. It's the first time the club have visited the country.
"Thank you Indonesia. You have certainly have proved that you are as big Roma fans as anywhere in the world."
