Lazio President Claudio Lotito warned Maurizio Sarri’s contract is ‘premature’ and further inflamed the tension with the ultras. ‘If they don’t come to the stadium, who will they get into fights with?’
The situation has never been good between the fanbase and their patron, but deteriorated even more in recent years.
Ultras abandoned Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Milan in order to stand outside protesting against high ticket prices, with banners about Lotito that we cannot translate on a family site.
Today the President hit back and as ever did not mince his words with the supporters.
“Ask them if the game went well… If they don’t come to the stadium, who will they get into fights with? The truth is, they create their own problems and protests, trying to use any reason to cause trouble, like €40 for a ticket. They should see how much other clubs charge.”
The defeat also means Lazio may well miss out on European qualification entirely, so the contract extension with coach Sarri is again on the back-burner.
“It’s still premature to talk about his future at Lazio. Having said that, I do respect him, he is a man of great quality and works 24 hours a day. That is not up for debate.”
Lotito stands with defender Francesco Acerbi after another row with the ultras, as the Italy international insisted his laugh after the last-gasp Milan winner was ‘hysteria’ and not any sign of joy at the defeat.
“He clarified the situation. People under pressure can have strange reactions,” noted the President.
#Lazio, #Lotito: ‘Rinnovo Sarri prematuro, Protesta tifosi? Se la cantano e se la suonano. Su Acerbi…’ https://t.co/Bhck5rpLIO pic.twitter.com/aiPmqGVfTV
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) April 26, 2022