Lazio President Claudio Lotito has hit out at Roma defender Gianluca Mancini after his post-match celebrations in the aftermath of the Derby della Capitale at the weekend, during which the Giallorossi defender waved a pair of ‘anti-Lazio’ flags on the pitch of the Stadio Olimpico.
Lotito claimed that a Lazio player would never have done the same as Mancini, and hinted that his €5,000 fine undermined the ‘values of the sport’.
What Mancini did after Roma’s win over Lazio
Mancini scored the only goal in Roma’s 1-0 win over Lazio on Saturday, powering home a header from a Paulo Dybala corner after 42 minutes.
During Roma’s post match celebrations on the pitch, he ran over to celebrate with the ultras in the Curva Sud and lifted a flag that read ‘Anti Lazio’. He later waved another flag with the Lazio colours with an image of a rat printed in place of the club’s emblem.
Lotito’s reaction
Lotito, who was in attendance for a Euro 2024 event at Villa Almone in Rome, the official residence of the German ambassador, said: “What Gianluca Mancini did, a Lazio player would have never done. Our players behave in a way that is very different to most other teams.”
He then indirectly suggested that the punishment Mancini received, a €5,000 fine, but no suspension, undermined the value of the sport.
“Tell me if it seems like an adequate fine to you, if it respects the value of the sport” he said.
“All of us are capable of making our own judgements, all we can do is accept the judge’s decision.”
Fortunately for Mancini, Roma supporters have started a GoFundMe page, which has already raised €5,900 to cover the costs of his fine.
Lazio supporters, and their captain Ciro Immobile, however, have not been particularly pleased by the events after full-time on Saturday.
#Lazio, #Lotito: "Il gesto di #Mancini non l'avrebbe mai fatto un calciatore della Lazio" https://t.co/Zpm0siEgVd
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) April 10, 2024
Lotto obviously forgot Di Canio’s salute. Hypocritical.