The torrid relationship between Lazio president Claudio Lotito and the club’s supporters took another hit due to an episode that ensued before Sunday’s game against AC Milan.
Lazio Supporters’ Return Coincided With Memorable Win over Milan
After boycotting the club’s four previous home matches as part of the protest against the club’s current direction, the organized fan groups decided to make a one-off return to Stadio Olimpico for the weekend clash against the Rossoneri.
The electrifying atmosphere at the ground inspired Gustav Isaksen and his teammates towards a hard-fought victory.
Lazio Supporters Prevented From Displaying ‘Freedom’ Banner
In addition to displaying a mesmerizing tifo at Curva Nord, the fanbase wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to aim a dig at the hierarchy. Therefore, the supporters planned to unveil a banner that shows the word ‘freedom’ at the Tribuna Tevere. However, the police intervened and prevented them from displaying the sign, presumably at the request of Lazio officials.
Three Things We Learned From Lazio vs Milan: The Curva’s Show of Force Must End
Lazio Fan Sheds Light on Post-Match Incident
A member of the Biancocelesti’s organized supporters told his version of the events during his appearance on Radio Laziale (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), accusing Lotito of standing behind the unsavory incident.
The usual disrespect from Claudio Lotito. He decided an hour earlier that the word “libertà” (freedom) created with cardboard in the Tiber wasn’t appropriate, and asked for it to be removed by the police.
A squalid episode. He did the same with Vincenzo Paparelli’s grandaughter, and he did it again on this occasion. “Freedom” is an important word, especially right now, regardless of football. We didn’t mean to offend anyone; we’re not stupid; we couldn’t have written “go away” or anything like that.
It’s not like we just made up the sign on Sunday afternoon; the Tiber has 15,000 parking spaces, and hundreds of people worked on it. Authorizations are required, the content is stated beforehand, the words aren’t exactly stated, but the meaning was clear.
Why The Banner Was Removed from the Tribuna Tevere
The Lazio supporter claimed they had no other choice but to remove the banner after receiving threats. Nevertheless, he vows that Lotito’s actions will eventually spark a major retaliation.
Why didn’t we leave it? Because there we were threatened! Of warnings and complaints, including a hefty fine. We could have made a huge fuss about this. We removed the signs ourselves. Imagine what would have happened if the stewards had removed them?
It’s a shortsighted move. All this is backfiring on Lotito, but he doesn’t understand it. How can he hide and think all this will remain silent? He’s deprived the people of the word ‘freedom’, but you can’t stop the wind with your hands. You took it off the seats, but we all have it in our heads.
Censorship never achieved anything; a ban makes more noise. I’m happy to have read about this on various Lazio-related websites, and we can confirm what happened. It was a complete and utter affront.
Maurizio Sarri’s Reception & Future Plans
Finally, the Lazio fan weighed in on the pre-match episode that saw Maurizio Sarri greeting the fans under the Curva Nord.
It was a great moment. We’re available to the coach and the team, a coach to whom we’re grateful, and it’s right to thank him.
We won’t be returning to the stadium for home games, not even at Ponte Milvio. There’s nothing else to do, it leaves us with no other choice.
The Derby? We’ll think about it, there’s no decision yet, and the same goes for a possible Coppa Italia final. Freedom isn’t given, freedom must be taken.
Are we in North Korea ? What a scumbag!!!
I’m not sure if there’s anything Lotito can do to repair the damage for this season.
The upcoming off season will be the true test. His words are empty, so we’ll need to hope for some action. Progress with the stadium, a promising transfer market, and a repaired relationship with Sarri, should be enough to have the fans end the boycott.
You pointed out 3 quite difficult things, however, if he does have a good market it might lead to Sarri staying so he could hit 2 birds with 1 stone but I have 0 hope he will do that. About the stadium, I don’t know… for so many years there were promises, why would we believe that this time it’s different? Also, isn’t he planning to have a new company own that stadium? Meaning Lazio wouldn’t be the holding co, so Lazio wouldn’t actually own it’s stadium. Also, people don’t just forget being censored…surely not the Italian people.
For sure, but it’s gotten to this point.
Lotito’s detailed plan has a tonne of loan interest that they’re projecting will take 60-90 years to pay off before being debt free.
But… Lotito is cheap, and will obviously have revenue streams through the stadium for Lazio… what he chooses to do with that revenue is anyone’s guess.
Progress will be slow, but it’s sorely needed.
I’m pessimistic about the stadium as well. Sick & tired of Lotito’s BS & Italy bureaucrazy.
Even if the stadium project is finalized, Lazio will only lease it for 90 years plus. Just like Udinese or Sassuolo.
Honestly believing that lotito would have the full interest of lazio with what we have seen for this years, the man is only interested in how much money he would make even if it means sending lazio to seria B