Claudio Lotito has placed Lazio’s off-field dispute alongside the long, difficult relationship between president and supporters, insisting that his recent complaints concern what he says he has endured rather than any personal campaign against named individuals.
Lotito addresses the investigation
The 69-year-old Lazio president, in charge of the club since 2004 and now also owner of Reggina, spoke about the inquiry examining alleged market manipulation involving Lazio shares. Lotito, a Forza Italia senator, said he had not supplied investigators with the names of Luigi Bisignani, Mauro Masi or Enrico Maiolini.
- Lotito said his complaints were filed against unknown persons.
- He maintained that the names involved emerged through the investigation itself.
- He said those mentioned were free to pursue legal action if they chose.
- “I have not reported anyone personally,” Lotito said. “I reported everything I have suffered during the past three years, much of it in silence.”
His remarks followed Bisignani’s criticism of the inquiry into alleged pressure aimed at making Lotito sell Lazio. Bisignani rejected the idea of a conspiracy and argued that Lotito had turned on the club’s supporters rather than engaging with them.
Lotito rejected the notion that he is seeking revenge. “There is no score to settle,” he said, adding that his only aim is to continue carrying out his work properly.
Claims of threats and an organised campaign
The Lazio president described repeated threats, saying they had arrived at all hours and continued through Christmas, New Year and Epiphany. He said members of his security detail had on several occasions heard the calls themselves.
Lotito linked those experiences to comments made two years ago by Manfredi Potenti, deputy chairman of the Senate Immunities Committee. Potenti had said the activity did not appear to be the work of isolated individuals or joking supporters, but suggested the presence of a structured organisation.
Lotito said that assessment reflected his own view. He also pointed to his decision, as a senator, to waive parliamentary immunity so that the Rome Prosecutor’s Office could obtain his telephone records.
- Lotito said few members in the history of the Senate had taken such a step.
- He described the decision as one he was proud to have made.
- He also underlined his status as Lazio’s longest-serving president.
Cragnotti’s words and the supporters’ divide
Amid the legal and political noise around the club, Lotito also recalled a warmer moment from Lazio’s recent match against Milan at the Stadio Olimpico. He said Sergio Cragnotti, the president behind Lazio’s second Scudetto, had congratulated him on the team coached by Rino Gattuso.
Cragnotti had encouraged Lazio supporters to return to the stadium after an eight-month boycott. Some fans responded that an apology from Lotito should come first.
Lotito accepted that there were matters for which he should apologise, particularly technical decisions he had previously approved, though he did not identify the choices in question. He referred to the open letter he addressed to supporters in June and conceded that some of his public comments may have been understood differently from how he intended.
- Lotito said he would continue working to improve that part of his relationship with supporters.
- He accepted responsibility for mistakes, including certain past sporting decisions.
- He insisted that every decision he takes is intended solely for Lazio’s benefit.
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Claudio Lotito speaks on Lazio investigation, threats and supporters
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Lazio president Claudio Lotito discusses the inquiry into alleged share manipulation, reported threats, his Senate immunity waiver and his message to supporters.
