The situation between the Roma owners and the Roma ultras has been simmering for weeks. In a letter, the ultras have now announced a protest at the upcoming home game against Inter Milan.
On June 17, 2020, “The Friedkin Group” bought Roma for almost 600 million euros. Since then, the Giallorossi have certainly been on a more financially sound footing, but there has been repeated friction between the AS ultras and Thomas Daniel “Dan” Friedkin, the current president of the traditional Roman club.
The latest incident: after a poor start to the season, US billionaire Friedkin parted ways with club icon Daniele de Rossi in mid-September. The two-time cup winner and 2006 World Cup winner had played exclusively for the Giallorossi between 2002 and 2019, had risen to become a legend and was finally made head coach this year after the sacking of José Mourinho.
His contract was extended after a few good months in the job.
“We demand a change of course”
It’s no wonder that Roma fans, and the Ultras in particular, criticized this very early separation – after all, the dismissal was met with astonishment across Europe. Several protest actions, social media anger and even posters were the result.
And there is no end in sight. The Ultras have announced a further protest before the upcoming 8th Serie A match day and AS’s home game against Inter Milan on Sunday evening – namely, that the noisy Curva Sud in the venerable Stadio Olimpico will remain completely empty for the first 15 minutes of the game against the Nerazzurri. The Ultras have announced this in an official letter published by lawyer Lorenzo Contucci on social media.
The letter refers to the fact that, in the opinion of the fan groups, “The Friedkin Group” is not properly maintaining the traditions of Roma and is instead focusing on general advertising.
The exact content of the letter: “Defamed flags, a never-restored crest, general mismanagement, superficial merchandising and the selection of unsuitable people to lead Roma despite their ignorance of the city, Roma history and traditional Roma fan values” are heavily criticized.
And further: “Spending money is not enough to lead the Roma.” Rather, it is necessary “to represent an association in which every Roma fan can recognize themselves and be proud of. Since this is not happening, Roma fans of all areas are called upon to join the protest.” The statement concludes: “Friedkin family, we demand a change of course.”