da bet esporte: Lazio president, Claudio Lotito, has stirred controversy with his bizarre response to the alleged attack on Ciro Immobile by his own fans.
da bet7: Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Sarri left Lazio after a dismal run of form Fans believe Immobile played a role in his departureThe striker was attacked by disgruntled fans (C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Immobile took to social media to recount a harrowing experience where he and his wife were reportedly subjected to a physical and verbal assault while picking up their four-year-old daughter from school. The incident has brought to light simmering tensions within the club, with Immobile's frustration seemingly directed towards the Italian press as recent reports have implicated him in the resignation of former manager Maurizio Sarri.
AdvertisementWHAT LOTITO SAID
Addressing the media, Lotito made a startling comparison between his own experiences and Immobile's ordeal and said: "It happens to me every day, I have lived under guard for 20 years. Daily death threats to me and my family. What is the theme? I'm the president of a company with 8,000 employees, yet I don't make all this fuss, period. And that's all I'll say."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Lotito's comments were contrary to the sentiment expressed on the club's social media channels which read: "The entire SS Lazio expresses full solidarity with its captain Ciro Immobile and his family for the disturbing and unacceptable attacks suffered in recent days. Sport, and consequently its ethical value, must remain as such: any act of verbal or physical violence must receive unanimous condemnation, firmly and without justification."
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Immobile has yet to respond publicly to Lotito's comments, leaving many to speculate on the underlying tensions within the club.
The turmoil at Lazio comes amidst a turbulent period on the field. Following a string of poor results, including four losses in their last five matches, the club finds itself languishing in 9th position in Serie A. Their woes were compounded by a Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich, who overturned a first-leg deficit to secure a 3-0 victory at the Allianz Arena. They will be back in action against Frosinone on Saturday evening in a Serie A fixture.