News Focus
- Sarri threatened to skip the match over the Sunday midday kick-off time.
- Officials spent four days arguing about the fixture schedule.
- Lazio stars begged their manager to attend the derby.
- The team already lacks fan support due to an ultra boycott.
Maurizio Sarri will take his place on the touchline for the Rome derby this Sunday. The Lazio boss had earlier promised to stay away from the Stadio Olimpico if the match kicked off at midday.
The fixture begins at 12:00 CEST on Sunday afternoon. This unusual timing follows four days of disputes between Serie A organisers and local authorities over when to play the Derby della Capitale.
Sarri issued his boycott warning immediately after losing the Coppa Italia final to Inter Milan on Wednesday. He told Sport Mediaset that a Sunday lunchtime kick-off was unacceptable.
“I planned to arrive on Monday evening,” Sarri stated. “If they force us to play this derby at midday on Sunday, I will not come. They can handle matters themselves.”
The coach blamed officials for creating chaos. He supported requests from local authorities to move the game to Monday instead.
“If I were club president, I would not bring the squad here on Sunday,” he added. “We will receive points penalties whatever happens. I refuse to participate.”
However, Italian newspapers including Corriere dello Sport and Il Messaggero report that Lazio players pleaded with Sarri to change his decision. They stressed how much they needed his leadership for this crucial clash.
The squad already faces the match without support from their ultras. Fans are currently boycotting home fixtures to protest against president Claudio Lotito’s policies. Losing their manager as well would cause serious damage to team morale.