Lecce midfielder Olivera stunned Totti saw red

Lecce midfielder Ruben Olivera admits he was shocked by the red card handed to AS Roma captain Francesco Totti.

Roma’s 2-0 win against Lecce was overshadowed by the double dismissal, as Olivera tripped up Totti and the resulting shove between them prompted the referee to send both of them off.

“Nothing much happened with Totti. I think it would’ve been better to give a yellow card each,” said the Lecce player.

Totti could face a bigger ban because he was enraged and was held back from chasing Olivera down the tunnel.

“Nothing happened in the tunnel either. I don’t know why Totti was sent off, maybe because he put his hands on me to push me away.

“Was something said? Obviously people do say things to each other on the field, but it was nothing serious.

“I didn’t trip him up on purpose. I repeat, nothing in particular happened.”

The red card means Totti will be suspended for the Rome derby.