Fans to miss Totti’s last derby match
Print Edition
ROMA icon Francesco Totti faces the ignominy of playing possibly his final derby in a virtually empty stadium following a call by fans to boycott tomorrow’s fixture against Lazio.
Totti is in his 23rd season with the ‘Giallorossi’ and some, especially his wife Ilary Blasi, expect it to be his last as appearances become rarer and club bosses stall on offering the 39-year-old playmaker a new deal in the hope he accepts a director’s role.
As the ‘golden boy’ of Italian football and the ‘Re di Roma’ (King of Rome), many of Totti’s most brilliant moments have come at the Stadio Olimpico.
Totti, who helped steer Roma to a rare title triumph in 2001, celebrated his 40th ‘Derby della Capitale’ appearance last season by taking a selfie of himself with jubilant fans in the background after hitting a second-half double to rescue a 2-2 draw. Images of Totti’s selfie went viral but a repeat could be unlikely if fans heed calls by hardline Roma ‘ultras.’
Thousands have deserted the club’s home games this season in protest at added security measures at the ground, including barriers which separate the ultras’ traditional territory of the ‘Curva.’
“The Olimpico unites people, barriers divide feelings,” was the message on one banner, while another called for fans to watch the game on a big screen at a popular meeting place: “3-4-16, everyone get to Testaccio!”
It means one of the most fiercely contested derbies in Italian football could be an underwhelming affair that could leave Totti with bitter memories. Despite the lack of fans, neither side is likely to be swayed as they chase qualification for Europe next season.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
