Lazio President Claudio Lotito defended FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio, snapped at Roma and said he’ll go into politics.
Lazio President Claudio Lotito defended FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio, snapped at Roma and said he’ll go into politics.
The controversial patron spoke to the Corriere della Sera newspaper and naturally was asked about his constant backing for Tavecchio, even after a six-month UEFA ban for racist comments.
“Tavecchio said the right thing in the wrong way. He is of a certain age, so is perhaps a little behind the times in terms of his language.
“I am not the most powerful man in Italian football. I am at the service and the disposal of the sport,” insisted Lotito.
“It’s not true to suggest I am pulling the strings behind Tavecchio. I travel with the Italy squad because I am a Federal counsellor and therefore I am authorised to do so.
“People envy me because I come from nothing, I am successful and cultured. Agnelli comes to the Lega meetings with spokesmen, directors and lawyers. I arrive on my own, so how come? I never lived off someone else’s money, unlike others.”
Lotito is hugely unpopular with Lazio fans, but insists he sets the template for modern Serie A clubs and could even go into politics.
“I am ready to put my experience at the disposal of the country. I proved that I am capable and Italy needs good administrators.
“I am a free agent, I don’t owe anything to anyone, don’t have personal interests to defend and don’t buy referees.
“I bought Lazio 10 years ago with €550m debts and now the club is running at a €7m profit.”
Lotito negotiated with the Government to pay outstanding tax and VAT bills over a 23-year period.
“I maintained my promises, as I talked about football as a moralising force and people laughed at me. Then I went to Agnelli and told him it was time to share so a Juventus vote would be worth as much as Sampdoria’s.”
Lotito also had barbed comments for Roma, who are planning to build a new stadium in the Tor di Valle area of the city.
“They’re building it at Tor di Valle, where the horses grazed. I won’t talk about Roma, as otherwise I’d have to talk about their financial accounts too.”