Lazio’s ultras have released a statement telling defender Francesco Acerbi to leave the club.
The 33-year-old Italian centre back has been under fire in the Italian capital after doing a ‘shhh’ gesture following his goal in the Biancocelesti’s 3-1 win over Genoa last weekend. The player was responding to the recent criticisms that he has not properly adapted to coach Maurizio Sarri’s four-man defence and tactical system.
Acerbi initially defended his celebration in a post-match interview; regarding the criticisms, he noted that ‘I couldn’t care less, it’s part of our job.’ A few hours lately, the former Sassuolo defender apologised for his celebration on social media, but this has done little to calm a section on the Biancocelesti fans.
The Lazio ultras are known for being controversial and divisive, and it remains to be seen now how both Acerbi and the club will respond to this statement.
Below is the Lazio Ultras statement in full:
‘Acerbi man without honour, leave Rome immediately. No forgiveness for those who betray! This is not just a slogan, but much more. It means that the fans are worth more than the players, that our flag is sacred!
‘Unfortunately, today’s players are too used to it and have never seen a proper protest. We protested against Chinaglia, Nesta and Mihajlovic (to name but three), monuments to our history. We went into the changing rooms at Tor di Quinto and Formello because some players, even players with a lot more honour than one from Chievo and Sassuolo, had disrespected us.
‘And we’re supposed to let pass the celebration and disrespect of a player who has shown that he despises an entire fanbase? Acerbi silenced the curva in the last match after months of support to the bitter end, Today he had the opportunity, as a man, to apologise under the guest sector occupied by 3000 Lazio fans.
‘Instead, at the end of the game, like a rabbit, while the other players came to cheer with us, he walked away. He backed out when a sincere apology would have sufficed. The fact that Acerbi is an important player in Lazio’s squad doesn’t matter to us. What matters to us is sweat, grit and respect. That’s why, as of today, Francesco Acerbi is no longer welcome here in Rome.
‘As long as he is here, he will be booed, In every game! “And who knows how many you’ve seen and how many you’ll see, sad players who never won”. ACERBI GO AWAY! ULTRAS LAZIO’
Ultras #Lazio contro Acerbi: 'Uomo senza onore, via da Roma subito. Nessun perdono per chi tradisce' #VeneziaLazio https://t.co/GuRAxNAgg3 pic.twitter.com/BpCWvdZxHK
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) December 22, 2021
What a pathetic statement from the Ultras – as usual
Lazio fans are worst. Harrying off players in addition to their wanton racism? Even if a player isn’t bigger than a club, it must be realised that clubs don’t grow or do well without their good players. They need Acerbi in order to get anything out of this season.
The best ultras in the universe 👏
How embarrassing, you write this to a European champion , also a guy who has beaten cancer , and also visits children diagnosed with cancer at children’s hospitals ? Oh this is just pure comedy to read that.
Who cares what a bunch of lunatic low lives think of you anyways Acerbi is a champion in my eyes.
Forza Lazio
Forza Acerbi
Lazio ultras ae fascists so good for him if they’re pissed
There is a higher chance of finding alien life on another planet than there being a smart and decent Lazio ultra.
Please, Ultras – go away instead.
These losers have too much say as it is.
None of these keyboard warriors actually know wht ultras are, what its means that your club is your life.
Im not even a Lazio fan but these comments are definitely by keyboard warriors who are not die hard fans of one club.
Acerbi should have apologized but fans are blowing this out of proportion.
They are crying for attention, desperate need for it. Perhaps not everyone had a happy childhood…
Acerbi made a mistake too. You can’t provoke your own fan base like that. People act like he did nothing wrong and the fans’ reaction is based on nothing.
@Gee
Ironically trying to be supercilious and calling out every comment as a keyboard warrior is just as pathetic as you may consider them “pathetic”
Ultras create an unsafe and hostile environment in football stadiums across Europe – not just in Italy. The only way Serie A can generate revenue via matchday earnings is if families feel secure and welcome in stadiums – not bunch of thugs with loud tattoos and racist/xenophobic chants and banners. Or throwing flares, soda bottles, or eatables. Or throwing scooters.
So instead of being a pretentious douchebag try to see both sides of the debate and try to make a well-rounded opinion.
PS: I’m not an Italian, but I’ve visited the Delle Alpi, and Stadio Olimpico (Rome) but I despise the Ultras.
Gee and you other ultras – ultras do not have life. They are worthless and grab any opportunity to feel relevant
How insecure you can be to be offended by silly gesture
Hopefully this is just another step closer to a Romagnoli-Acerbi swap. Afaik Acerbi was a Milan youth player, and might enjoy proving his worth, while Romagnoli is a known Laziale. The swap would seemingly fit all parties perfectly, and especially with Acerbi not being able to contain his emotions lately (I understood it is frustrations with not being able to adapt to Sarri’s style of football).
Ultras make the game what it is. They bring the stadium to life. They are part of the game. There are many reasons for parents not bringing their children to games, Olimpico is not a good stadium for family events based on how you get to it and get out again. There are too many bottlenecks, it is out of the city, and parking is basically non-existent.
You want families to go to football in Rome, then let the clubs build new stadiums, which can better control the flow of people to separate home ultras, away fans, and civilians.
There is no problem with the ultras, but with Rome’s municipality, who are unwilling or unable to provide the foundation of improvement (licences to build new stadiums).
Ultras will always be ultras, and the core of the stadium experience (just stay out of the Curva if you do not fit there). And in this case they are right, Acerbi have been problematic several times this season already, and at some point there are limits to how many apologies that fans are going to accept.
He should move on, if possible. And not just because the Curva wants it.
And that’s that. I must agree with Alec.