Totti reveals truth on Roma return: never met Friedkin, declined image role for centenary

The Italian Coaches' Association (AIAC) visited Roma's Trigoria training ground on 24 September. A delegation led by President Renzo Ulivieri and Secretary General Luca Perdomi met with head coach Gasperini and his technical staff. The visit was framed around "listening, dialogue, presence in the territory, together with the teams that work on their squads," the AIAC posted on Instagram. The delegation also met with Massimiliano Alvini of Frosinone and Gennaro Volpe of Latina Calcio 1932 during the day's tour of Serie A and lower-division clubs.

Francesco Totti has disclosed in his book Oltre that he rejected a proposal to return to Roma as an ambassador for the club's centenary celebrations. The offer came through intermediaries rather than a direct approach from the Friedkin Group, and Totti was asked to serve as the public face of the milestone without a decision-making role. Totti explained his reasoning in the memoir: "I was not comfortable in the role of a pretty figurehead who must smile without making an impact and nod without being able to decide." He emphasised that Roma belongs to its supporters while ownership changes hands, and that he deserves respect befitting his status at the club. He also raised these concerns directly with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini during a dinner meeting held some months ago, explaining that the preconditions for such a return were not in place. In the book, Totti writes: "There was never a face-to-face meeting with the Friedkin Group." He added: "I think Roma belongs to the Romanisti, while ownership comes and goes. And then I believe I deserve, at minimum, that respect afforded to someone considered good company for a coffee."

AS Roma have opened ticket sales for two Serie A matches scheduled for October. Supporters can purchase tickets from 12:00 on Friday 25 September for Roma-Genoa on 17 October (20:45 kickoff) and Roma-Cagliari on 27 October (20:45 kickoff). Each fan may buy up to four tickets per transaction. The matches form part of a busy October schedule that also includes Champions League fixtures against Real Madrid and Slovan Bratislava. All tickets will be issued exclusively in digital format, available for download on a mobile device or within the IL MIO POSTO app—no PDF summary file will be sent. Plus season-ticket holders for 2026–27 can access a dedicated price for additional tickets in any section while the general sale is ongoing, but only by logging in online with their PNR and date of birth; each subscriber may purchase a maximum of two tickets in a single transaction. Plus subscribers will be able to access the resale service from 10:00 on Friday 16 October, with further details on the user-change service to follow.