Pallotta on Covid-19, the return of Serie A and Roma’s future

Italian football is soon to return, something that maybe didn’t seem possible two months ago…

“Italy was clearly one of the worst-affected countries in the world for Covid-19 fatalities and that’s very sad to watch from afar. I think there were significant mistakes made in how the highest risk individuals were not protected, but it’s something which also happened in the United States and I’ve been very close to the situation generally.”

The players showed great discipline during the lockdown. Did that surprise you?

“The players were a credit to the club and proved just what type of individuals they are. I saw that some players at other clubs flew back to their native countries but our players remained in Rome, and I think that helped to ensure we could keep them safe.

“The numerous reports I received from Rome informed me that the players were in great shape and in a good state of mind. I believe they certainly appreciated how management were interacting with them and we certainly appreciated the professionalism they displayed.

“I was happy with how Roma’s management reacted to the crisis.

"From Guido [Fienga, the club’s CEO] down, Roma’s management stepped up when it mattered and were there not just for the players but also the families of the players. We kept asking ourselves, ‘Are we doing enough to help?’ and ‘Are we doing the right things?’”

How important was it for you that the club proved to be a force for good during the crisis?

“It was incredibly important and I think we were there in the community throughout the whole crisis. We were on the ground in Rome, delivering medical supplies to hospitals, churches and community centres, and also food - amongst other things - to our elderly fans, but we were also active with different campaigns internationally.

“We always want to be great on the football pitch but for all kinds of reasons, sometimes totally out of our control, maybe we don’t reach the expectations we set for ourselves.

“But off the pitch, we also have a duty to be a positive influence and that has been our goal since I arrived.

“When I look at what we do in terms of community work, outreach to young people, and the social causes we promote and support in Rome and around the world, I think we are one of the model clubs.

"Can we do more? Sure. But when I look at what AS Roma and Roma Cares has done and plans to do - and see the impact it can have on the people we reach - it makes me feel proud of our entire team.

“It’s certainly not a replacement for winning on the pitch, it’s something totally different, but it’s incredibly important and Roma fans around the world should feel good about what the club stands for.”

How badly has the Covid-19 crisis impacted Roma financially?

“First of all, it’s had a significant financial impact on all of football – and on Roma, certainly. I would even say that Covid impacted our January transfer window, as some deals didn’t happen because of it.

“All over the world, many industries have been impacted in different ways. Our players and management were incredibly supportive – as an example, taking salary reductions – but there’s no denying that we have suffered the loss of ticketing revenue, stores being closed, football camps being cancelled and now arguments over TV money.

“So, yes, we have been badly affected, but we are talking about the financial impact of Covid-19 on football. Thousands of people all over the world have suffered a far greater loss - the loss of their loved ones.

“That’s the real tragedy of Covid-19, not the loss of money in football.

“Football will come back, those lives won’t.

“Some people seem to think football is a matter of life or death, and while it may feel that way sometimes, it’s really not. Losing a mother, a father or a grandparent is devastating, no matter what age you are, and my thoughts go out to anyone who has suffered.”

There’s been a lot of speculation about the future of the club recently but you’ve remained silent. Why?

“Sometimes what people forget is that we are a public entity, so it’s simply not possible or practical to speak most of the time about the ownership situation.

“I know that may frustrate some people, but it’s the law.

"For nine years, I have seen information either leaked from inside the club, made up by those outside the club or driven by people far from Rome, but while I might want to respond occasionally, we are a publicly traded company so I can’t react to every comment or story about what may or may not be happening.

“What I can say, however, is that we have an investor group and so if someone approaches us about investing or buying the club, we have a fiduciary responsibility to listen and respond.

“I see myself as having two main responsibilities - doing what is best for AS Roma and also doing what’s best for the investor group and the shareholders.

“We have invested well over €400m into this project - a substantial amount, and we have always tried to do the right thing for Roma.

“I haven’t taken one penny out of the club, ever. We’ve put money in. Even in the last few weeks.

“As part of our investment, we have spent over €70m on the stadium project, which, in my mind, we should have been celebrating the opening of by now. We should have been playing in that stadium next season.

“Maybe we are getting closer again – and how many times have I said that, or heard that? – but maybe, with recent developments, we are close to the final ‘final’ approval.

“I certainly know that, right now, Italy and Rome need this new stadium and need this investment in the country.”

You have been harshly criticised for rejecting a reported offer from the Friedkin Group…

“The Friedkin Group approached us last fall and, towards the end of the year, we were beginning to find an agreement. We went into more detail - and the devil is always in the detail – but after changes made by their lawyers and bankers, the offer began to morph into something less and less palatable for both Roma and our investment group.

“The last semi-concrete offer we received - some of the details of which seem to have been leaked by either their lawyers or bankers - just wasn’t close to being acceptable.

“And this is the offer that some appear to be very upset about.

“I am not sure if those who are upset understand how a deal like this works – but it’s not with seller-financing. At the end of the day, if I am buying a house, I don’t expect the seller of the house to reduce the asking price to cover the cost of all of the refurbishments I want to make. That’s not how it works.

“If the Friedkin Group has the money and wants to talk again and wants to make an offer that we all find acceptable for Roma, we would listen.

“Could they be a good owner for Roma? Maybe. We just don’t know.

“I do know that when I came in, I had a lot to learn - and it would be no different for them. So it’s impossible to know whether or not the Friedkin Group could be the saviour of Roma, as some think, or the best owner for Roma, but we continue to have people calling us and wanting to talk to us and as a fiduciary, we have to listen to them.”

Are you ready to leave Roma?

“Well, as I get older, I do think about my future and I would like to leave the club in really good, strong hands. I would like someone to be a good steward of Roma and with the ability to compete in the manner that we would all like.

“Until that time, we continue to support Roma in countless ways and continue to put money into the club to ensure we can compete in the biggest competitions and at the highest levels.

“I, along with a few others, have certainly put in more than was expected of us personally, because we have always tried to do well by Roma.”

How much of a profit is acceptable for you to make out of selling Roma? Is there a number?

“Believe me, we are not sitting around saying, ‘We want to make this much money!’ Not a chance. Right now, I just want to try to ensure that whatever happens next for Roma is the best thing for the club – whether that’s with a sale, a new investor or with myself and the current investor group.

“I learned a long time ago that to some people, it’s not going to matter what I say or do, or how much money I put into Roma. They will always say it’s never enough and that’s life. I’ve accepted that.”

Many fans are nervous about the summer transfer window, considering the club’s financial position…

“There’s uncertainty everywhere in football right now, it’s definitely not something that is unique to Roma. There are a lot of moving parts in football and a lot may depend on potential investment into the club.

“No club in the world knows how the transfer window is going to pan out this summer or fall but ultimately, we need to do what we believe is best for AS Roma.”

Do you have a final message for fans?

“I just want to say thank you to fans who continue to support us and no matter what happens, I will continue to try to do everything I can for AS Roma. I love Rome, I love the club and I love the people and I hope to see us back winning again soon.”