The diligent ballboy placed the ball inside the semi-circle at the corner flag, allowing Rodrigo Taddei to take a quick corner from which Alessandro Mancini scored the only goal of the game.

But this is against the rules, according to Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini, who has faxed the Lega Calcio (Football League) to state his case.

"I have re-read the rules and these state that the ballboys must give the ball back to the player," he told Europa 7 television.

"The rule states that the ballboy must remain behind the advertising boards and throw the ball to the nearest player, remaining always behind the boards.

"I have told my solicitors to request a 3-0 win in our favour or at least get the game replayed.

"We have got to stop rewarding cheekiness. What happened on Saturday was against the rules."

Zamparini believes he has hit upon an important issue.

"If it had happened the other way around, it would be all over the papers and television and people would be talking about it for days," he added.

"And if Roma are winning, those lads hide the balls."