Claudio Lotito intends to remain as the owner of both Lazio and Reggina in the long run, even if it means changing the law.
The Background
The 69-year-old has been the owner and president of the Italian capital club since 2004, but is now facing the most challenging period of his 22-year reign, with the fans in open revolt against his administration, as they urge him to sell the club to someone capable of restoring it to its former glory.
In recent weeks, Lotito completed the purchase of Reggina, sparking renewed hopes among Lazio fans who believe that the Calabrian club could be part of the patron’s exit plan. After all, Italian regulations no longer allow the same person or entity to own two professional clubs simultaneously.
Claudio Lotito Will Be Forced to Choose Between Lazio & Reggina
This season, the Amaranto will start from Serie D. The Italian fourth tier isn’t considered a professional league. However, the issue will arise if the club earns a promotion to Serie C, which is certainly part of Lotito’s immediate plan, considering the club’s historic status. When Reggina return to the professional leagues, Lotito will have a one-year ultimatum to resolve the issue.
Lotito Plans to Change the Law to Keep Lazio & Reggina
On Monday, Lotito was given a hero’s welcome at Reggio, with 4,000 supporters greeting him upon his arrival. In his first press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), the Italian senator was inevitably asked about dual ownership, and he responded by declaring his intention to change Italian regulations to allow a person to own two professional clubs once again.
It’s no secret—I tend to take things one step at a time. We shouldn’t borrow trouble before there’s any reason to. That rule was changed… and it ended up damaging Italian football, stripping it of value across the board. If I had come here today with Lazio B, no one would have cared.
The multi-club ownership model was my idea. Today, it allows Reggio to have a competitive team without undermining its identity. If you look at what’s happening across Europe, there are plenty of multi-club ownership models. I’ve already urged the Lega Serie A to restore them. This is a matter of sports policy, not a personal issue.
Look at what’s happening in football—many local clubs and communities are disappearing because there’s no longer anyone willing to invest. Instead, we now have reserve teams playing in Serie C. We need to rethink the way football is structured.
I’m not making any promises; I take things as they come in that respect. For now, let’s solve this year’s problem, then we’ll prepare for the future. Abolishing multi-club ownership was a short-sighted decision. We all need to stand together, because there is strength in unity.
Lotito Already Had a Dual-Ownership Experience
Between 2011 and 2021, Lotito simultaneously owned Lazio and Salernitana, but he was forced to sell one of the two clubs when the Granata were promoted to the top flight. At the time, the regulations allowed a person to own two professional Italian clubs, as long as they don’t play in the same division.
He should join forces with Trump.
what a mother fucker he is.