Roma Stadium Reaches Key Conference Hearing; Opposition Groups File Legal Challenges

Ultras fan groups UTR and AIRC have issued a fresh statement protesting the blanket ban on away travel for Roma supporters living in Rome and the surrounding Lazio province, calling the measure unjust and discriminatory. The groups argue the restriction is no longer tied to specific public-order risks at sensitive matches but has become a generalised policy applied routinely a few days before every away fixture, effectively preventing Lazio-based fans from supporting the team in the league—currently top of the table—and lacking any proportionate justification. UTR and AIRC contend that the Interior Ministry's approach has turned away-travel bans into a blanket public-order management tool rather than a targeted preventive measure. They draw a parallel to closing an entire motorway to prevent accidents, suggesting the policy is administratively crude. The groups also note that UEFA itself has criticised this method of managing public order and away-fixture issues in football. They point out that AS Roma itself has expressed opposition and intends to protest the ban applied to the Turin–Roma fixture. The statement from the organised fan groups represents their formal objection to what they describe as the Interior Ministry's flawed application of this policy to football.

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years as they face Fenerbahçe at the Chobani Stadium in the competition's opening match. Vincenzo Montella, the Roma legend and current Turkey national team coach, will be in attendance for the fixture. Corbin Friedkin, a member of the ownership group, will also be present in the stands—a visible show of support from the Texas-based Friedkin Group for Gasperini's squad. The CEO Galantic underlined the ownership's close involvement with the team in comments made shortly before kickoff.

Roma chief executive Jhon Galantic spoke to journalists before kick-off in Istanbul as the club made their Champions League return after seven years, facing Fenerbahçe in the league phase. Galantic stressed the significance of the competition for the club and its supporters, particularly in Roma's centenary year. "It is fundamental to return to the Champions League after seven years, especially in the centenary year. For the club and for the fans this is a very important evening," he said. On the summer transfer market, Galantic explained Roma's strategy of balancing sporting and financial requirements while respecting UEFA parameters. He praised the players who remained at the club and accepted reduced salaries to stay. "We have to seek an equilibrium, as many clubs do, that allows us to field the most competitive squad possible while respecting UEFA parameters. It is not easy. I thank the ownership and the players who renewed their contracts and reduced their salaries to stay. We are very happy they remained. We have lowered the wage bill while also increasing the quality of the squad," he said. On the Friedkin Group's involvement and emotional investment in the project, Galantic revealed: "Many messages today and there will be more during the match. One of them is here this evening. They are excited and are inside this project. They are silent; they will have their own style but they are really, really very involved also on an emotional level."