Claudio Lotito doubled down on controversial comments, saying Andrea Agnelli “hates me” and Lega Serie B President Andrea Abodi is “a cretin.”
The patron is in the eye of the storm after Ischia director general Pino Iodice released a taped phone call in which Lotito complained that Carpi or Frosinone being promoted would be “a disaster” for Serie A TV rights.
Claudio Lotito doubled down on controversial comments, saying Andrea Agnelli “hates me” and Lega Serie B President Andrea Abodi is “a cretin.”
The patron is in the eye of the storm after Ischia director general Pino Iodice released a taped phone call in which Lotito complained that Carpi or Frosinone being promoted would be “a disaster” for Serie A TV rights.
He also said Lega Serie A President Maurizio Beretta and Lega Pro President Mario Macalli “decide zero” in Italian football.
In an interview with the Corriere della Sera newspaper today, Lotito didn’t walk back any of his statements, albeit calling Iodice’s actions “an ambush.
“At the time I was talking as co-owner of a Lega Pro club, Salernitana, about how to solve the problems in that Division.
“Of course I said that! Can you imagine Serie A with Carpi, Frosinone, Latina, Sassuolo, Empoli, Cesena… all magnificent cities, but small and weak teams. Economically, the whole football system would collapse. It’s elementary.
“I know what I’m talking about when it comes to finances. I am the one who got €1.2bn for the Lega Serie A, I’m the one who got Sky and Mediaset talking.
“I proposed a reform of the Leagues so only the top team in Serie B is automatically promoted, then the last two in Serie A go into play-offs with the second, third, fourth and fifth in Serie B.
“Instead, that cretin Abodi refused! He wants the guarantee that three sides will be promoted from Serie B! Why? Because he doesn’t care about finances, television rights or the entire Italian football system collapsing.
“Abodi has only one plan: keep the club votes on his side, discredit me and try to become President of Lega Serie A.”
Abodi had supported Lotito’s FIGC Presidential pick Carlo Tavecchio, but perhaps now regrets that decision.
Lotito also refused to walk back his suggestion Lega Serie A President Beretta ‘counts for zero.’
“Why, isn’t that the truth? Beretta’s role as President of the Lega Serie A is to be a guarantor. The club Presidents are the ones who decide.
“We listened to the phone call together and Beretta laughed! Poor thing, he was bent over laughing. I’ve received many calls from Presidents who showed me their solidarity.”
It is fair to say that so far very few clubs have come out publicly to condemn Lotito, other than Roma and Empoli.
Lotito said to Iodice that he ‘controls’ 17 or 18 votes in the Lega Serie A, primarily missing only Juventus and Roma.
“I am not powerful – I am simply appreciated by everyone. Andreuccio (Agnelli) really hates me. Now that I asked for an integral draw for referees, hahaha! The other Presidents share my desire to renew.”
With regards to the officials, in the phone call Lotito also referred to President of the Referees’ Association Marcello Nicchi as ‘a ****head.’
“I tend to use local language… Unfortunately Nicchi is a little rigid in certain situations, that is true.”