Claudio Lotito Reports Thousands of Threatening Calls Amid Lazio Supporter Boycott
Lazio club owner Claudio Lotito receives 5,000 threatening telephone calls daily amid an ongoing fan boycott and severe friction with extremist supporter groups, Aftonbladet reported, citing an interview in La Repubblica. The 69-year-old sports executive, who became Lazio’s majority owner in 2004, stated that the intense hostility once forced him to carry two firearms for personal protection.
Fan Protests and Empty Seats at Stadio Olimpico
The friction between the club’s leadership and its fanbase intensified last season as empty seats filled sections of the Stadio Olimpico during Lazio matches. Supporters organized stadium boycotts to protest Lotito’s ownership model, labeling him a “cynical affärsman” (cynical businessman) and criticizing him for being overly frugal with club funds. The protests extended into the current league campaign, where only 4,000 out of 30,000 available season tickets were sold prior to the season’s kickoff.
Carrying Firearms During Peak Conflict
Addressing the severity of the backlash from extremist supporter factions, Lotito revealed that the threats forced him to alter his daily habits significantly. “Under long time I went around armed with two pistols. One in the front and one in the back,” Lotito said, as reported by La Repubblica. He added that one of the weapons once saved him, though he declined to provide further details regarding the incident.
Political Career and Club Ownership Timeline
Alongside his role running the Serie A club, Lotito serves as a member of the Italian Senate representing Forza Italia, the political party founded by Silvio Berlusconi. He took control of Lazio as majority owner in 2004, steering the club through various financial and competitive phases while consistently remaining a polarizing figure among the team’s supporters.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Claudio Lotito become the owner of Lazio?
Lotito assumed majority ownership of Lazio in 2004, guiding the Roman club through two decades marked by both on-field competition and persistent friction with the fanbase.
What political party does Claudio Lotito represent?
Lotito serves as a senator in the Italian parliament representing Forza Italia, the political party originally founded by Silvio Berlusconi.
How many season tickets were sold before the season started?
Supporters continued their protest against club management by purchasing only 4,000 out of 30,000 available season tickets prior to the league’s opening matches.
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