Gigi Buffon and team manager Gabriele Oriali denied Italy players “complained” about Claudio Lotito’s presence.
Gigi Buffon and team manager Gabriele Oriali denied Italy players “complained” about Claudio Lotito’s presence.
The Lazio” data-scaytid=”9″>Lazio President accompanied the squad to Bari for Thursday’s 2-0 friendly win over the Netherlands and reportedly irritated the players by being ever-present at the side of FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio.
“All I can say is that the locker room is sacred, so only people with my authorisation or that of Antonio Conte can come in. I did not receive requests to enter,” Oriali told reporters today.
“I didn’t receive complaints from any players on the issue either. We are all concentrated on what we have to do, which is a lot.”
Buffon was also asked about the Lotito story, which was on the front pages of all three major sports newspapers today.
“I can say that, as a player, I have seen Lotito in many other events. Most recently he was at the Italy-Argentina friendly, or at Euro 2008. It’s not a surprise.
“He is not someone who comes into the locker room. If a person is close to the squad and represents the institutions, I don’t see what harm it can do.”