[Official] Lazio Push Back Sarri’s Press Conference Following Media Criticism

Lazio’s preseason preparations have taken a chaotic turn as the club find themseleves at the center of criticism following a series of missteps—including the unexpected postponement of Maurizio Sarri’s long-awaited official presentation as head coach.

The Biancoceleste, already under pressure after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign that ended without European qualification, were hoping to open a new chapter with Sarri at the helm. Instead, they’ve stumbled out of the gate with a mix of administrative errors and controversial decisions.

With the club currently unable to register new signings due to a transfer ban imposed by COVISOC, expectations for Lazio’s summer were already tempered. Fans, disillusioned by the club’s ongoing financial woes, have had little to cheer about—especially after the accidental leak of the new kit on the official website a day before its intended reveal.

This week, tensions rose further when Lazio announced that Sarri’s introductory press conference would be held at the club's headquarters—without the presence of any journalists. The decision triggered a wave of backlash from the Italian media, prompting an official protest from the Lazio Regional Journalists' Council, which called on the club to reverse course.

In response to the criticism, Lazio published a formal statement defending its approach. The club emphasized that the move was aimed at offering a "technologically advanced, innovative, and transparent" format through their in-house media production studio.

“We firmly reject any attempt to attribute to S.S. Lazio the intention of limiting press freedom or excluding our coach from legitimate discussions with journalists,” read the statement. “Modern communication requires new tools. Our intention is to enhance the media's role, not evade it.”

The club also highlighted their recent efforts to accommodate the press, including opening their Formello training facility to accredited journalists—an unprecedented gesture meant to showcase infrastructure upgrades ahead of the season.

Despite the justifications, Lazio ultimately announced the decision to delay Sarri’s presentation until the end of the preseason. According to sources close to the situation, even the coach himself was reportedly displeased with how the event was handled.

While the club frame this change as a collaborative decision with Sarri, the episode adds to the growing concerns about Lazio’s internal coherence and public relations strategy. For now, fans must wait longer to hear from the man tasked with revitalizing the team’s fortunes.

As the preseason continues, the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on Formello—not only for Sarri’s on-field progress, but for how the club navigates the increasing scrutiny off it.