Blow for Lazio as Supporter Groups Announce Coppa Italia Boycott: “The Most Painful Decision” | OneFootball

As we said after the league match between Lazio and Atalanta, we were expecting a signal from the club that would allow a different decision to be taken from the one we are, unfortunately, about to make. For the Coppa Italia semi-final between Lazio and Atalanta, the organised supporter groups have decided to continue the protest and not enter the stadium. The decision we have taken is among the most painful in the 21 years of Mr. Lotito’s tenure, but we have reached the limit of our tolerance for what have now become the usual mockeries from the club’s leadership.

The press conference to present the Flaminio stadium project was proof of how these individuals still believe that words alone can deceive an exasperated fanbase. At a previous press conference, director Fabiani said he wanted to “open a dialogue with the supporters” and that the tone needed to be lowered, only to then use anything but a “low” tone with a journalist. To this day, we have received no request for a meeting. We expected that supporters would also be invited to the Flaminio presentation, given that they will be the ones using those spaces and, above all, are repeatedly mentioned but never consulted. We hoped that the presentation would be a calming moment. Instead, after the reading of a text prepared ad hoc by some smooth-talker, Mr. Lotito took the microphone and showed his true colours, using arrogant, smug and spiteful tones towards those who have played a major role in repaying all of SS Lazio’s debts.

There was talk of dialogue with the supporters — which supporters? Those who are threatened? Those who are humiliated? Those who are not even allowed to commemorate a deceased grandfather? Those who were not consulted about the design of the new stadium? If anyone had called us, we would have said that the Curva Nord, as it has been designed, cannot exist in that form. Splitting it into two tiers destroys the unity of the support at its highest expression — that of urging the team on. Therefore, we believe that behind this project, once again, there is the will to divide and fracture the fanbase that fills the Nord — something that will never happen.

In 2027, Lazio will finish repaying its debt to the tax authorities. We expected the owner to say that those funds would be invested in strengthening the team, perhaps by bringing in players worthy of our shirt. Instead, he has already declared that the money will be used to “keep the structure afloat” — which translated means: no investment in the transfer market. “A free Lazio,” he told us. Free from whom? From what? For 21 years, supporters have been prisoners of a nightmare, tied hand and foot to amateurish management. With the Flaminio presentation, we had further proof of the structural weakness of this club and its president, who — in order to feel alive — had to bring along a claque to receive applause. In fact, applause from a single person. Perhaps the low budget only allowed him to hire one?

We call on everyone who still believes that a better Lazio is both possible and necessary to exercise their right to dissent by staying outside. A Coppa Italia semi-final will not make us change our minds about this miserable management. Nor will a render of something we might perhaps see in six years make us stop demanding a president worthy of these colours. We will remain outside out of the boundless love that binds us to this shirt. We do it because this fanbase deserves respect, as the pride and honour of Italy’s capital. Let us continue to be united and compact, because even they have realised that when Laziali stand together, they can never be defeated — and that is what frightens them. Forza Lazio. Forza Laziali.

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