Former Arsenal full-back Nuno Tavares decided to leave the Stadio Olimpico at half-time after being substituted during the Rome derby, and could now face a fine from his new club Lazio.
The 25-year-old was trusted to start the fiery derby after making a permanent switch to the Italian side from Arsenal in the summer, following a one-year loan spell.
But the defender had 45 minutes to forget as he was at fault for what proved to be the winning goal for Roma, scored by Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Tavares got caught on the ball on the edge of his own box seven minutes before the break, and moments later, Pellegrini was wheeling away in celebration after sticking the ball in the back of the net.
The mistake prompted Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri to hook Tavares during the interval, replacing him with Luca Pellegrini, who is in no way related to Lorenzo, the goalscorer.
According to La Repubblica, the Portuguese star did not stick around to see how his replacement, or the rest of his team-mates for that matter, would fare in the second half. After a shower in the dressing room, he packed up and left the ground.
Lazio’s Nuno Tavares (left) decided to leave the Stadio Olimpico after being substituted at half-time during the Rome derby
Tavares spent four years at Arsenal before permanently moving to Lazio in the summer
Lazio’s senior officials are now deciding whether to fine Tavares for leaving, rather than returning to the bench to support the squad.
This is Tavares’ second season at the club, with the first a loan spell last season, before making the permanent switch from Arsenal for a reported £6million.
The left-back spent four years at the Gunners, joining in the summer of 2021, but he spent three of those on loan at Marseille, Nottingham Forest, and of course, Lazio.
His first season in Italy proved fruitful as he bagged nine assists while under the stewardship of former boss Marco Baroni.
But since the arrival of Sarri, things have not gone too well. Not just for Tavares, but also for Lazio, as they have picked up only three points from their first four games in the Serie A.
Tavares is yet to contribute to a goal this campaign as his team sits a lowly 13th.
