The president of Lazio, Claudio Lotito, publicly claimed responsibility for the pressure he suffered and the rumors regarding the sale of the club, in an interview with la Repubblica. Lotito recalled the most difficult years of his relationship with some fans, stating that he had to "go around armed with two pistols, one in front and one in back, an automatic and a Smith & Wesson", and even that he had one of the weapons "useful" in a moment of danger.
During his statement, Lotito underlined that, although tensions with fans have been intense in the past, they could now re-emerge with broader motivations beyond simple fan dissent. The president reiterated that he had never received offers for the sale of the company, but specified that he had submitted complaints and reports to Consob to demonstrate that no concrete proposals existed.
Lotito also shared the extreme amount of telephone threats he receives daily, estimating around 5,000 calls per day. To protect himself, he decided to turn off his phone and file numerous complaints with the competent authorities. Despite the intimidation, the president declared that he did not want to give in and that he considered himself a "fighter, never a veteran", rejecting the idea of being pushed to sell Lazio due to external pressure.
In response to those who accused him of no longer making fans dream, Lotito made an ironic joke, suggesting to "take a hypnotic" if you want fans to continue dreaming. The president concluded by reiterating his determination to defend Lazio and reject any attempt to exploit the situation to obtain a profit.
With the season underway, Lazio continues to fight for the Serie A rankings, while the president remains at the center of a climate of tension that could influence the future dynamics of the club. The next step will be to watch whether allegations of lobbying persist and whether the company faces further legal or management challenges.