Lazio supporters have announced a mass protest for 2 July after club president Claudio Lotito completed the purchase of Serie D side Reggina. The acquisition creates a potential regulatory headache, as new Italian football rules strictly prohibit one individual from controlling multiple clubs in professional leagues.
The demonstration will see fans gather for a march from Ponte Milvio to Piazzale Ankara, the site of the Stadio Flaminio, on the evening of 2 July. It marks a significant escalation in a long-running dispute that has already devastated matchday atmospheres at the Stadio Olimpico. The ultras have boycotted home fixtures for months, leaving stands painfully deserted even during crucial Serie A encounters. Season ticket holders have maintained their absence despite having already paid for their places, suspending the protest only for rare exceptions such as the Coppa Italia Final defeat to Inter.
Regulatory complications
Reggina currently compete in Serie D following bankruptcy, which places them outside the professional tier for now. However, should the Calabrian club earn promotion to Serie C, Lotito would face a mandatory choice between retaining ownership of Lazio or the lower-league side.
The purchase was confirmed by the Mayor of Reggio Calabria, Francesco Cannizzaro, via social media. The arrangement immediately draws comparisons with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who also owns Bari. Unlike Lotito’s new acquisition, De Laurentiis’s multi-ownership arrangement predates the current regulations. He has been granted until the 2028-29 campaign to resolve his position.
Lotito is not afforded the same transitional period, leaving him vulnerable to forced divestment if Reggina climb the divisions. With the new season approaching, the announced protest suggests relations between the Biancocelesti hierarchy and its support base remain severely strained.