Lazio star Ciro Immobile as a referee at the request of the Pope
Ciro Immobile was not a scorer on Sunday, but a referee. Behind it was a request from Pope Francis.
Ciro Immobile, star striker from Lazio Rome, hosted a charity match as referee on Sunday to support people in need.
Nobody less than Pope Francis had asked the Italian international to do so. Immobile therefore whistled the match between a soccer team from the World Roma Organization and an exclusive Vatican team in the Lazio training stadium.
As referee, Ciro Immobile awarded two penalties
The game, led by the famous referee, ended in a 7-7 draw. Immobile even decided twice on penalties, both teams were each allowed to run from the point once. Once a foul was the reason for the penalty kick, once Immobile punished a handball.
The day before, Immobile Lazio was missing in the top game against Juventus due to a calf injury, his team lost 2-0. The 31-year-old European champion should be available to the Romans again in the Europa League match at Lok Moscow on Thursday.