Sarri ‘to attend’ Roma v Lazio after threat to skip midday kick-off | OneFootball

Maurizio Sarri had warned he would not turn up if Lazio were made to face Roma at midday on Sunday. The Derby della Capitale will kick off at the Stadio Olimpico at 11.00 UK time, 12.00 CEST.

Corriere dello Sport and Il Messaggero report that pleas from the players and the club have persuaded him to attend.

The organisation of the fixture became chaotic, as Lega Serie A and local authorities spent four days disputing the day and time.

After losing the Coppa Italia Final to Inter on Wednesday, Sarri said he would not be in attendance if the derby was staged at midday on a Sunday. He added that he preferred a Monday evening slot, agreed with the local authorities, and even suggested that if he were Lazio president he would keep the squad away and accept points penalties.

Once the midday slot was confirmed, questions followed over whether he would carry out his threat.

This could be his final derby at the club amid on-going tension with President Claudio Lotito and the directors. With ultras already boycotting Serie A home matches in protest at Lotito’s strategy, losing their coach’s presence too was viewed as damaging.

Source: Football Italia