“Common Sense” – Police Aiming to Move Roma vs Lazio to New Date

“Common Sense” – Police Aiming to Move Roma vs Lazio to New Date

The Police Chief in Rome pleads with the Lega Serie A to move the showdown between Roma and Lazio to another date.

The Background

Maurizio Sarri’s men are currently preparing for Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final against Inter Milan, but their eventful week will culminate with a league meeting against their blood rivals. However, the date of the contest has been the topic of a raging debate.

Roma vs Lazio Time Slot Causing a Stir

This fixture will coincide with the Italian Open, a global tennis tournament that is taking place at the same sports complex as the Stadio Olimpico. While the official dates of Serie A Matchday 37 have yet to be released, the Derby della Capitale is widely expected to be scheduled for Sunday’s early kickoff (12:30 CET), much to Sarri’s dismay.

The Lazio head coach was already unhappy with this time slot when the two clubs met in September, and he threatened to skip all media commitments related to this fixture should the timing be confirmed.

Roma Police Chief Urges Serie A to Reconsider Derby Time Slot

While Sarri doesn’t fancy playing this game in high temperatures, Rome’s Police Chief, Roberto Massucci, is equally displeased with the time slot, albeit for different kinds of concerns, mainly related to public order, with two grand events overlapping on the same day.

Although we are equipped to handle anything, including difficult events taking place simultaneously, it would still seem like common sense not to schedule the Derby on the same day as the Italian Open tennis tournament, which has become a global event. Rome is a city that always stays true to itself. Last year we undoubtedly managed the most difficult year in the last thirty years of Rome’s history, but this year is presenting us with new challenges. Public squares are sensitive to what is happening around the world and in the country, so in our line of work maintaining public order in Rome is always a major commitment.