Lazio president Claudio Lotito discussed the future of star midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and defended Juventus amidst their ongoing investigations.

The Bianconeri are in the crosshairs of the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office after allegedly paying their players in secret during the early stages of the COVID pandemic, despite publicly stating that four months’ worth of wages had been waived. The investigation into their usage of falsified capital gains is also ongoing.

Speaking after receiving the Colalucci award, Lotito first discussed Milinkovic-Savic’s future with Lazio.

“Contracts are done when they expire. From a technical point of view we have an interest in renewing him because he is a great player and a great man, I hope that the player will do the same. 

“Appointment on the agenda? What are we doing the transfer market?!? In life everything that begins has an end, starting with life itself. 

“Milinkovic-Savic is a player Lazio are banking on, he is an added value. What’s missing are presidents, we have no problem finding players or coaches. There are only a few Italians left who do it with dedication. Money is not everything in life, ideas count.”

The Biancocelesti president gave his thoughts on the ongoing investigations into Juventus and their financial practices.

“I’m not a magistrate. Everyone when they win jumps on the bandwagon, then they run away when there’s a problem by running away from the people they all drank from. For example there are those who cashed in €160m for two players. 

“Today everyone speaks badly of Juve, but they have contributed to the livelihood of Italian football. Is there a risk of the investigation widening? I don’t know, I don’t know the behaviour of other teams. 

“Surely it won’t expand to involve Lazio, for me that’s a matter of pride and peace of mind. Above all because of the way I started, a dramatic situation.”

He spoke about his former Juventus counterpart Andrea Agnelli, who resigned last week.

“I saw him in the Senate and hugged him. Did I recommend anything? No, no problem. He gave me an unfair impression from a human point of view compared to what he has given to Italian football. 

“To say that Juve are the evil of Italian football is unfair. Today everyone goes out of their way to create dissent against Juventus. Politics is one thing, human value is another. Andrea is a working man. 

“We used to meet at my office at 8am, that means he woke up at 5am, at 6am. I don’t know what they are, I am for values. When one has value, one puts it on the field. Facts count, in life facts count and not words.”

Finally, Lotito gave his thoughts on the Italian national team and the struggles of Ciro Immobile in an Azzurri shirt.

“With Italy out of the World Cup, some people should ask themselves questions and give themselves answers. 

“I don’t think it depends on Serie A, it doesn’t mean that there are no quality footballers in Italy. I ask myself questions, how come Immobile became top scorer and Golden Boot winner and in the national team he doesn’t score as much.”

The investigations into Juventus are still ongoing and the club seemingly risk being handed severe penalties, ranging from fines to point deductions. Relegation to Serie B is a remote possibility and unlikely to occur. 

4 thought on “Lotito: ‘To say Juventus the evil of Italian football is unfair’”
  1. I take Lotito at his word here. Recall the tax situation he inherited with Lazio. He certainly has reason to be financially honest and, besides in the world of football, is a successful businessman.

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