Friedkin at crossroads over Roma and Everton dual ownership as European qualification looms

Roma's return to the Champions League has triggered a wave of supporter anger over subscription prices for the club's cup competitions. A new season-ticket campaign covering four Champions League matches and one Coppa Italia fixture opens on 12 August at noon. Fans have vented their frustration on social media, with comments including "You should be ashamed" and "You're good at playing with our emotions." The price increases are substantial. In the Curva Sud central and side sections, the minimum cost for a Classic subscription has risen from €57 to €155—a 172% increase compared to last season. Curva Nord and Tribuna Tevere have seen even steeper rises: the Top Centrale section price climbed from €138 to €330, a 140% increase year-on-year. While some dismiss the criticism as overblown, the figures reflect how Roma's Champions League qualification has translated directly into higher costs for supporters seeking season tickets across the club's main competition fixtures.

Roma have opened cup subscriptions for the 2026–27 season, covering five matches: four Champions League group-phase home fixtures and a Coppa Italia round-of-16 tie. Prices start at €31 per match. Serie A season-ticket holders receive priority access from 12:00 on 12 August to 13:00 on 19 August, with the option to select a different seat. General sale runs from 15:00 on 19 August until 18:00 on 26 August or until sold out. Two packages are offered—Classic and Plus, the latter allowing resale rights for all matches; seat transfers are not available. Portuguese talent Rodrigo Mora is nearing a move to Roma, with a contract ready until 2031 and personal terms already agreed. Negotiations with Porto continue over structure rather than principle; Roma propose €25 million upfront plus 50 per cent of future resale proceeds, with an option to pay a further €25 million in 2027 to eliminate the resale clause. Porto prefer the buyout figure to stand at €25 million from the outset. Gabriel Martinelli remains under pursuit; Roma have opened talks with Roc Nation Sports, his representatives. Arsenal would consider selling for approximately €50 million, though his €11 million-per-season gross salary remains a sticking point as Roma seek to negotiate downward. In squad news, Manu Koné has returned from post-World Cup leave with no serious interest beyond a tentative Chelsea inquiry. Nahuel Molina landed at Rome Fiumicino airport yesterday and will sign a four-year contract today, becoming immediately available to Gian Piero Gasperini. Lorenzo Pellegrini, the captain, continues recovery from a right thigh muscle relapse and will rejoin group training after 15 August.

AS Roma have announced the opening of ticket sales for their 2026–27 cup competitions season-ticket pass. The campaign will begin at 12:00 on Wednesday 12 August, with the subscription allowing supporters to attend five matches at Stadio Olimpico across the Champions League and Coppa Italia. Prices start from €31 per match. The sale will take place in two phases. From 12:00 on Wednesday 12 August to 13:00 on Wednesday 19 August, the subscription will be available exclusively to 2026–27 Serie A season-ticket holders, who can choose a different seat from their league allocation. From 15:00 on Wednesday 19 August to 18:00 on Wednesday 26 August, sales will open to all supporters on a first-come, first-served basis until seats are exhausted. The club has confirmed that user changes will not be permitted for the cup subscription. The campaign is branded with the slogan 'Ad Astra' ('Towards the Stars'), forming part of Roma's wider promotional messaging for the new season.