Roma fans banned from away trip to Lecce as security curb continues

The 2026–27 UEFA Champions League League Phase draw will take place on Thursday, with 36 clubs discovering their group-stage opponents. Roma, Inter, Napoli and Como represent Italy in the competition. Paris Saint-Germain will defend the title won in the last two editions, with their rivals aiming to dethrone the French champions. The final is scheduled for 5 June 2027 at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

Roma supporters have been banned from attending the match at Lecce on 31 August 2026 following a prohibition imposed on 25 August. The decision to close the visiting supporters' section at the Stadio Via del Mare and prevent ticket sales to Lazio residents stems from past incidents between the two sets of supporters, according to the Sports Event Security Analysis Committee and the Prefect of Lecce. The ban has triggered an angry response from Roma's supporter organisations. The Unione Tifosi Romanisti (U.T.R.) and Associazione Italiana Roma Club (A.I.R.C.) issued a joint statement condemning what they describe as discriminatory treatment. They argue that the measure cites only vague references to historical clashes and fails to account for Roma's recent conduct. The organisations emphasise that last season, as reported by Rome's Police Commissioner, no incidents occurred at the Olimpico stadium involving Roma supporters, a fact they claim has been disregarded. The statement reads: "We vigorously protest yet another inequitable discriminatory measure against Roma supporters, by which the Prefect of Lecce, on indications from the Committee, has ordered the closure of the away section and a ban on ticket sales for the Lecce-Roma match scheduled for 31 August 2026 to Lazio residents. The measure invokes generically some incidents of which frankly we have no memory." The groups appeal for the freedom of movement of all citizens to be restored immediately, noting that tight timescales prevent them from filing an appeal with the Regional Administrative Court.

Emanuele Lulli, 19, made his Serie A debut as a starter for Roma at the Olimpico in front of over 65,000 supporters, marking a storybook entry to senior football. The academy product was handed the opportunity after Devyne Rensch withdrew in the final training session and Nahuel Molina's fitness remained questionable, prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to deploy the young winger. Earlier in July, when Avellino showed interest in Lulli, Gasperini had been unequivocal with director D'Amico, insisting the teenager remain with the first-team squad. Growing up in Palestrina in a working-class household—his father works as a bricklayer—Lulli began playing in a local youth academy at age 6 before being spotted at 14 by legend Bruno Conti, who brought him to Trigoria. Originally deployed as a midfielder, he was repositioned to the wing by coach Gianluca Falsini and has remained there since. He continues to live in Palestrina with his parents and older brother, commuting 80 kilometres daily each way to train at Roma's Trigoria complex. In the dressing room, Lulli has already earned the affection of his teammates: Gianluca Mancini has given him the affectionate nickname "Crazy Horse", while Mancini and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini—who shares the same representation agency as Lulli—have taken him under their wing as he embarks on his professional career.