Claudio Lotito discussed his plans for his 65th birthday, the 2021-22 Serie A season as a whole and the recent fan protest regarding ticket prices.
The Biancocelesti ultras recently expressed their frustration regarding the ticket prices for Lazio’s Serie A clash against Milan; the tickets started at €40 for the Curva Nord and €60 for the Distinti stands, something which infuriated the fans. Things have cooled down a little since then and decent home support was seen during the Roman club’s recent 2-0 win over Sampdoria.
Speaking to Lazio Style Radio, Lotito first discussed his birthday plans.
“It will be a day like any other, this evening I have an institutional dinner at the League, I have some things to do. It’s a good thing that there is someone who loves me, because usually… There is a hard core that still supports my work.”
The Lazio president reflected upon this Serie A season, looking up and down the table.
“This is an exciting season, we should all be happy, there’s nothing obvious either at the top or at the bottom of the table, it’s all still open.
“Lazio has always been at the top of the table, between fourth, fifth and sixth place. We’ve always participated in European competitions so I don’t understand this hostile attitude that makes no sense.”
Finally, Lotito discussed the fan protest regarding ticket prices recently and what possible solutions he has.
“It’s not a problem with the price of tickets, I understand the economic crisis, but I don’t even know if we gave all the tickets away for free if there would be a full house. I’ve done the most fan-friendly campaigns but I don’t think the stadium is always full.
“In the last game against Sampdoria 3,000 tickets were free, the rest were €10-20, and the attendance was still around 30,000. The problem is that we have a limited attendance compared to many other clubs.
“The fans should be happy, Lazio is the only one that hasn’t changed ownership, see Roma, Milan and Inter. The stability is there, beyond all the nonsense that is written. Lazio has no problems of any kind.
“The only positive thing is that I’m the fan’s punching bag, I’m pleased that at least they know where to vent their anger, I want to stress that my words are not controversial. I’d like to go back to twenty years ago when I took over Lazio, I was certainly better off.”
Lotito and the Lazio fans have often come to blows regarding his management of the club and his tight spending in transfer windows. It remains to be seen if he’ll back Maurizio Sarri in the summer.
Lazio, Lotito: “Neanche se regalassi i biglietti ci sarebbe il pienone. Felice di essere il pungiball” https://t.co/4cqRmIsd73
— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) May 9, 2022
