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Roma president fined for celebration, donates 230,000 euros to fix fountain

James Pallotta was fined 450 euros for jumping in a fountain celebrating his side’s remarkable victory against Barcelona.
James Pallotta was fined 450 euros for jumping in a fountain celebrating his side’s remarkable victory against Barcelona. James Pallotta was fined 450 euros for jumping in a fountain celebrating his side’s remarkable victory against Barcelona.

Roma president James Pallotta has donated 230,000 euros (£200,647) to fix a famous fountain after he jumped into another to celebrate his team’s remarkable Champions League victory over Barcelona.

Pallotta took to the streets of Rome to celebrate along with fans after the Serie A side followed a 4-1 quarter-final first leg deficit with a 3-0 home success against the LaLiga leaders.

Roma went through on the away goals rule after the tie ended 4-4 on aggregate thanks to second leg goals from Edin Dzeko, Daniele Di Rossi and Kostas Manolas.

American businessman Pallotta took part in an impromptu celebration which saw him jump into the Piazza del Popolo fountain, near the traditional northern gate to Rome. But city authorities did not take kindly to Pallotta’s celebration and fined him 450 euros (£392).

Following a meeting with Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi the New York-based property tycoon made his generous offer to pay for restoration work on the Fontana del Pantheon, the fountain in front of Rome’s world renowned tourist attraction.

In a video filmed and posted on the club’s Twitter account Palotta talked of his decision to donate the money and also warned others not to follow his example of jumping into a fountain.

Palotta said: “I certainly got caught up in the excitement, I think it was a great night for all of us in Rome.

“I also don’t want to encourage other people to jump into fountains except if they want to fix the fountain so I’ve decided that I think it will be a great personal gesture to fix the fountain in front of the Pantheon so I’m going to donate 230,000 euros to it.

“As I said, you know, trying not to encourage people (to jump into fountains). (I) love this city, if someone does want to jump into it fix the fountain.”