Roma director Mauro Baldissoni assured there is “no punishment” for Francesco Totti, “but we can’t get distracted by the situations of individuals.”

The captain was told to leave the training camp this morning, as he would not be used against Palermo after controversial statements in an interview with RAI Sport.

Roma director Mauro Baldissoni assured there is “no punishment” for Francesco Totti, “but we can’t get distracted by the situations of individuals.”

The captain was told to leave the training camp this morning, as he would not be used against Palermo after controversial statements in an interview with RAI Sport.

“This was not a punitive gesture. Totti is here, he was in the locker room with his teammates until a few minutes ago and he will be at our disposal from tomorrow,” Baldissoni told Mediaset Premium.

“The club does not need to take any position on the matter. It is purely a technical issue. The Coach told him he wouldn’t be on the bench after yesterday’s statements because they had created a tense environment.

“The decision is down to the Coach and he communicated it to us, but he did it with great regret, seeing as he wanted to use him in this game.

“We thought of the mental state of the group with regards to what Francesco said. He is here, in the stadium, and from tomorrow will be as usual in attendance for the training sessions.

“Francesco is uncomfortable with the idea of not being a protagonist right now. We will try to be closer to him.

“The important thing is Roma, so we cannot get distracted by the situations of individuals.

“Francesco is an honourable and prestigious part of the club’s history. Francesco, aside from momentary discomfort, cannot be separated from Roma.”

Will Totti have a future as a director or even President at the club?

“It depends on many factors, from the decisions he will make with the Coach and President,” continued Baldissoni.

“Unfortunately, sooner or later we will have to lose Francesco’s quality on the pitch, but we don’t want to lose him for the future.

“After yesterday’s comments, Spalletti evaluated the situation this way. We asked the Coach to win games and these decisions are down to him. It is not punishment for Totti.”

The interview with RAI Sport was recorded earlier and transmitted on Saturday, after Spalletti’s Press conference in which he said Totti would likely start against Palermo.

“We did know there was an interview, but the context was supposed to be around the 2006 World Cup,” explained Baldissoni.

“RAI informed us the day before, but we do not ban our captain from speaking.”

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