Lotito Defies Dual-Ownership Ban: Ambitious Plan to Retain Lazio and Reggina

FolioPitch.com – 21 July 2026 | In a move that has sent shockwaves through Italian football, Claudio Lotito has outlined his audacious strategy to maintain control over both Lazio and Reggina, a plan he characterizes as taking things “one step at a time.” The president of Lazio and newly-acquired owner of Reggina made clear his intention to challenge the existing regulations that prohibit a single individual from owning two professional clubs, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation with the Italian football authorities. This bold declaration, which headlines the keyphrase Lotito Reveals Plan to Keep Lazio Reggina One Step at a Time, signals a new chapter in Italian club ownership.

Lotito, who has been at the helm of Lazio since 2004, is no stranger to controversy. His tenure has been marked by both success and fierce criticism, with fans recently demanding his departure due to perceived stagnation. The purchase of Reggina, a historic club now languishing in Serie D, was initially seen by some as a possible exit strategy. However, Lotito’s latest statements confirm that he intends to hold onto both clubs, even if it means altering the legal framework of Italian football. He emphasized that the multi-club ownership model is essential for the health of the sport, arguing that the current ban, introduced in recent years, has damaged Italian football by stripping it of value. “The multi-club ownership model was my idea,” Lotito said in a press conference last Monday, greeted by 4,000 enthusiastic Reggina fans. “Today, it allows Reggio to have a competitive team without undermining its identity. I’ve already urged the Lega Serie A to restore them.”

The keyphrase Lotito Reveals Plan to Keep Lazio Reggina One Step at a Time encapsulates his incremental approach. He is aware that the immediate obstacle is Reggina’s position in Serie D, which is not considered a professional league. However, should the club earn promotion to Serie C—a likely scenario given its historic stature—Lotito will face a one-year ultimatum to resolve the conflict. Rather than selling either club, he plans to lobby for a change in the law, returning to the earlier regulatory framework that permitted dual ownership as long as clubs were not in the same division. Between 2011 and 2021, Lotito successfully owned both Lazio and Salernitana under that rule, until Salernitana’s promotion forced a sale. Now, with Reggina, he sees an opportunity to revive the model.

Lotito’s strategy is not without precedent in European football. Multi-club ownership groups have become common in leagues across the continent, allowing owners to share resources and develop talent. The Italian senator argues that the ban has led to the disappearance of local clubs and discouraged investment. “Look at what’s happening in football—many local clubs and communities are disappearing because there’s no longer anyone willing to invest,” he stated. “Instead, we now have reserve teams playing in Serie C. We need to rethink the way football is structured.” By reintroducing the multi-club model, he believes Italy can strengthen its football ecosystem.

The phrase Lotito Reveals Plan to Keep Lazio Reggina One Step at a Time is central to understanding his method. He is not promising immediate changes but rather a gradual process. “I take things one step at a time. We shouldn’t borrow trouble before there’s any reason to,” he said, emphasizing patience. This pragmatic approach has resonated with some Reggina fans who see him as a savior, while Lazio supporters remain skeptical. The future of both clubs hangs in the balance as Lotito navigates legal and political hurdles.

In conclusion, Lotito’s vision represents a significant challenge to Italian football’s governance. If he succeeds in overturning the dual-ownership ban, it could pave the way for a new wave of consolidation and investment. However, failure could force him to choose between two beloved institutions. As Lotito himself put it, “We all need to stand together, because there is strength in unity.” The coming months will reveal whether his step-by-step plan can withstand the pressures of regulation and public opinion.