Lazio have joined in the controversy over a new Roma shirt sponsor by pledging they will protect the ‘values of sport and interests of the city of Rome’ with support for the Expo 2030 candidacy.
The problem erupted when Roma announced that their new shirt sponsors for the next two years in a deal worth a total €25m will be Riyadh Season.
This is causing issues because Riyadh are rivalling Rome in the bid to host the Expo 2030 world’s fair.
A vote will be held to give the hosting rights to the event in Paris on November 28.
After the politicians in Rome, including Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, complained, now Lazio have thrown their hat in the ring.
A statement from President Claudio Lotito, who is also a member of the political class as a senator, piled on the pressure without ever specifically naming the target of their ire.
“Lazio have always tried to protect the values of sport and interests of the city of Rome, being the first team in the Capital,” read the statement on the club website.
“To these ends, Lazio will take every possible initiative to sustain the candidacy of the city of Rome to host such an important international event as the Expo 2030, to allow the Capital of Italy, its inhabitants and the entire country to benefit economically and socially for the present and future.”
Roma made their debut with the new shirt sponsor in this evening’s Europa League match against Servette.