Italian League Association Threatens Escalation Over Rome Derby Postponement

The Italian League issued a strongly worded statement against the decision of the Rome Prefecture to postpone the capital derby between Roma and Lazio to Monday, May 18, threatening to resort to the competent judicial authorities if the decision is not reversed.

The association stressed that the postponement threatens the integrity of the competition, especially since the last two rounds of the season are usually played simultaneously to ensure equal opportunities for the clubs.

The association considered that the decision of the Rome governor contradicts the arrangements previously agreed upon, after the derby was scheduled for Sunday at 12:30 PM to avoid any conflict with the final of the Italian Open Tennis Championship held at the Foro Italico complex. It pointed out that this unusual timing imposed additional organizational burdens, but it was a solution to avoid any security or crowd issues.

The association also emphasized that postponing the Roma vs. Lazio match will not only affect the derby but will also delay four other matches linked to the principle of synchronization in the round, impacting around 300,000 fans in terms of travel, bookings, and logistical commitments. It added that the authorities also ignored the existence of a transport strike on Monday, which could create bigger crises than those the decision sought to avoid.

In the conclusion of the statement, the Italian League Association considered the intervention of the provinces and security authorities in rescheduling matches as "a dangerous precedent" that affects the image of Italian football and the organization of sporting events in the country. It affirmed that it would take all possible legal measures to defend the rights of the championship, clubs, fans, and television broadcast partners if the postponement decision is not revoked.