Lazio President Claudio Lotito dislikes the idea of complaining in order to sway referees, and denies having a ‘pre-conceived position’ against Roma.
The Biancocelesti had penalty appeals turned down during their 1-0 home defeat to Napoli yesterday, with Coach Stefano Pioli suggesting afterwards that complaining can result in decisions going in a team’s favour.
However, his President, speaking on Radio2, has taken a different position today.
Lazio President Claudio Lotito dislikes the idea of complaining in order to sway referees, and denies having a ‘pre-conceived position’ against Roma.
The Biancocelesti had penalty appeals turned down during their 1-0 home defeat to Napoli yesterday, with Coach Stefano Pioli suggesting afterwards that complaining can result in decisions going in a team’s favour.
However, his President, speaking on Radio2, has taken a different position today.
“I have trust in the impartiality of the referees,” Lotito has said, as reported by the Corriere dello Sport.
“I have always defended them, among other things because I'm part of their institution.
“This is one of the downsides, not being able to complain, but I have a conviction and I've always reiterated it – making a mistake is human, but persevering with it is diabolical.”
Lotito has been sparring in the past week with Roma counterpart James Palotta, as fallout from the drawn derby which saw Francesco Totti notably take a selfie after scoring the Giallorossi’s equaliser.
“I don't have a pre-conceived position against Roma and Pallotta.
“The problem is when they exhibit behaviour of the type they showed against Lazio, accusing us of behaving in a manner that does not belong to my club. I wanted to clarify how things stand.
“I have told them to think about getting their accounts in order and then, if they wanted to, they could come to Formello and see our accounts in terms of efficiency and management of our club.
“It's possible to combine a club's financial achievements with those in the sport.”
Recent reports suggest that Lazio's incoming new signing would be AZ Alkmaar's Wesley Hoedt, but the Aquile boss preferred not to take a position.
“I'm not a sorcerer, I can't tell you if he'll be coming now. To make a contract there must be a genuine agreement between the parties – the will of three parties – that of the club being negotiated with, that of his current club and that of the player, who might or might not want to come. But he's not in Rome yet.”
But Lotito warmed when talking about striker Miroslav Klose.
“He accepted a substantial wage-cut to come to Lazio. He invested in himself and in the project. He is an added value, for what he represents on and off the pitch.”