Roma CEO: ‘Friedkins here to stay, new stadium important’ | OneFootball

Roma CEO Lina Souloukou suggested the club is ‘much more than a business’ to the owners and underlined the importance of building a new stadium in the capital.

The Giallorossi are desperate to leave the Stadio Olimpico in the near future, keen to open the doors by the 2027-28 season, and are currently wrestling with the usual issues of Italian bureaucracy as they work to push the project forward.

In the meantime, reports over the last few months have suggested that Roma’s owners the Friedkins are open to selling the club to Saudi Arabian investors, something that has been publicly denied. The Giallorossi set up a shirt sponsorship deal with Riyadh Season earlier this term.

Speaking to The Financial Times, Souloukou discussed the mentality of the Friedkins and Roma’s work to build a new stadium.

“The Friedkin family see themselves as custodians of an institution loved by the fans, and want to make it sustain­able and stronger. It is much more than a business.”

“Roma are working very closely with the municipality. It’s really important to have a stad­ium that is their home. How much Roma means in their everyday life is something you only feel when you live in this great city.”

She was brief when asked about the European Super League project.

“We are open to reforms and inclusiveness, but always within the traditional structures of European football.”

Finally, Souloukou discussed the future of Roma under the Friedkins and the importance of unity at a club.

“They are here to stay. They’re truly loyal to their commitment to the fans and they have always been very respectful of the history of the club.

“This is football. Once every week, or twice per week, you are in the spotlight but at the same time the only answer to that is to be united with the owners, your coach, players and fans.”