Lazio President Claudio Lotito has directed sharp criticism towards everyone associated with the club, including coach Maurizio Sarri, the players, and the fans who are boycotting matches, stating they “soil their shorts.”
Tensions are running high within the Lazio camp after their last chance to salvage the season slipped away with a 2-0 defeat to Inter in the Coppa Italia Final. The team’s failure to secure European football for the second consecutive year has further amplified coach Sarri’s openly expressed frustrations with the club’s strategy.
Lotito’s Fury Engulfs All Aspects of Lazio
Addressing reporters at a recent event, Lotito stated, “Sarri has a contract with Lazio, I am the President of the club, so what do you want from me? Ask him. The coach has a contract with us, end of story.”
Following their derby loss to Roma, the President did not hold back his criticism of the players’ performance. “Inter didn’t do anything to win the Coppa Italia; we practically handed it to them with an own goal and a gifted pass, and then we missed three clear chances. Against Roma, we conceded two identical goals from corners. Do we want to put someone on the field who can mark? I’m not the one playing on the pitch…”
“If the players had my grit, the game would be over; we’d dominate matches. The problem is that when they step onto the pitch, they soil their shorts,” Lotito added.
While fans were present for the Coppa Italia Final, they continue to boycott home games, including the derby against rivals Roma, opting instead to gather outside the Stadio Olimpico.
When questioned about resolving the fan strike, Lotito again expressed his frustration. “I have been the President for 22 years, I’ve won six trophies, taken Lazio back into Europe; we can have a season where things don’t go as well.”
“I am working for Lazio. I presented the plan for the new Stadio Flaminio, I am finishing the Academy, what more do they want from me? I’m floating the club shares on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York; with a new stadium, we’d reach €3m in revenue, so the rest is just idle chatter.”
“I am working to make this club autonomous, immortal, and independent. So don’t ask me why the fans don’t come to the stadium; ask them. They don’t want to come? Then they can stay away.”
“Perhaps there aren’t enough Lazio fans in Rome, but there are many all over the world, even in China.”
Lotito maintained a similar stance when questioned about Sarri’s disagreement with the club’s transfer strategy. “The fan has to cheer on his team, the coach needs to coach his players, I am the President and I do my job. I have to protect the history of Lazio; I cannot let it go bankrupt.”
English Translation
Lazio President Claudio Lotito has strongly criticized everyone involved with the club, from coach Maurizio Sarri to the players and the fans who are boycotting games, saying they “soil their shorts.”
The atmosphere at Lazio is extremely tense after they missed their final opportunity to salvage their season by losing the Coppa Italia Final 2-0 to Inter. The club’s failure to qualify for European football for the second consecutive year has led coach Sarri to openly express his dissatisfaction with the club’s strategy.
Lotito’s Outburst Directed at All Lazio Stakeholders
Speaking to reporters at an event, Lotito stated, “Sarri has a contract with Lazio, I am the President of the club, so what do you expect from me? Ask him. The coach is under contract with us, and that’s the end of it.”
Following their derby defeat to Roma, the President was also candid in his criticism of the players. “Inter didn’t have to do anything to win the Coppa Italia; we basically handed it to them with an own goal and a poor pass, and then we missed three easy chances. Against Roma, we conceded two identical goals from corners. Should we field someone who can mark? I’m not the one playing on the field…”
“If the players had my courage, the game would be over; we would dominate matches. The issue is that when they get on the field, they soil their shorts.”
While fans attended the Coppa Italia Final, they have continued their boycott of home games, including the derby against rivals Roma, choosing instead to gather outside the Stadio Olimpico.
When asked if he would attempt to find common ground and resolve the strike, Lotito again lashed out. “I have been President for 22 years, I have won six trophies, and I brought Lazio back into European competition; we can have a season where things don’t go as well.”
“I am working for Lazio. I have presented the plan for the new Stadio Flaminio, and I am completing the Academy; what more do they want from me? I am preparing to list the club’s shares on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York. With a new stadium, we would achieve €3 million in revenue, so everything else is just idle chatter.”
“My goal is to make this club autonomous, immortal, and independent. So don’t ask me why the fans aren’t coming to the stadium; ask them. They don’t want to come? Then they can stay away.”
“Perhaps there aren’t enough Lazio fans in Rome, but there are many all over the world, including in China.”
Lotito displayed the same attitude he has shown in recent months when informed that Sarri disagreed with the transfer strategy. “The fan’s role is to cheer for their team, and the coach’s role is to coach his players. I am the President, and I do my job. I must protect Lazio’s history; I cannot let it go bankrupt.”
