As soon as the home side won a second-half corner, the ball boy swiftly placed the ball near the flag.

Rodrigo Taddei sent in a quick cross, which was met by Amantino Mancini's header for the winner at Olimpico Stadium last weekend.

The Palermo defenders were left stranded as they were still re-grouping, following a red card to Leandro Rinaudo two minutes before the goal.

Subsequently, Palermo chairman Maurizio Zamparini believes the goal should have been cancelled, as he sent an appeal to the Lega Calcio demanding a victory for his side or a replay.

"I have dispatched my lawyers and I have asked for a 3-0 win or at least for the match to be replayed," Zamparini was quoted as saying by Calcio Italia.

"We have read the rules -- the ball boys must stay behind the advertising boards and throw the ball to the nearest player. What happened on Saturday is against the rules."

Managers' Comments

The managers of both teams also commented on the incident after the game, as both coaches believed that the 'ball boy act' was decisive.

"Sometimes if you take a free kick a little early without letting the opposition set up the defense, it can be decisive," said Roma boss Luciano Spalletti.

At the other end, Palermo boss Francesco Guidolin felt the bitterness of the defeat, but he admitted that Roma had the right to take advantage.

"We had studied this tactic and knew they tended to do that," he said.

"They are absolutely right to give it a go. I am sorry to have conceded a goal like that, just as I am disappointed by something else that happened, but we’ll leave it there."

Watch the Controversial Goal