Lazio fans persist with boycott of Claudio Lotito despite unbeaten start | OneFootball

Despite an unbeaten start in Serie A, Lazio fans are persisting with a home boycott in protest at owner and president Claudio Lotito.

A season-opening Coppa Italia loss to second-tier Mantova had looked ominous even with Gennaro Gattuso’s trademark ferocity, yet four league games in they have three wins and a draw, only two points off top. According to Get Italian Football News, the stand-off has continued regardless of results.

Led by the Curva Nord, season-ticket uptake is less than a sixth of last season’s figure. Supporters still travel for away matches and gather outside the training ground, stressing the protest targets Lotito, not the team.

Many fans argue the club under Lotito has rarely been allowed to aspire beyond mid-table. There have been Champions League qualifications, but when a title push beckoned, the final backing from above did not arrive. The last trophy was the Supercoppa Italiana, almost seven years ago.

In that time, fans have watched Lotito become embroiled in Salernitana’s sale after their promotion to Serie A, buy fourth-tier Reggina, and continue to leverage his Italian senate role for personal political and financial gain.

Next up are Venezia and Monza, two winnable fixtures. By mid-October, a meeting with Juventus could find Lazio at the summit. Whether performances prompt a U-turn or finally bring ownership and supporters to the table remains to be seen.

Source: Get Italian Football News

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