The AS Rome reacted to the emotional statements of Francesco Totti and harshly criticized the Italian. The association called Totti’s accusations “abstrus” in an official statement. Francesco Totti had announced his farewell from his heart’s club after a break had occurred between him and the American club owner James Pallotta.
“The club is extremely disappointed that Francesco Totti has announced his intention to leave the club and not to assume the position of technical director for the Roma,” the club writes on its website. However, the Capital Club has little to do with Totti’s criticism: “We understand how hard it must be for him to leave the AS Rome after 30 years, but we believe that his perception of the facts is abstruse and far removed from reality.
The Roma had firm plans with the former striker, who was to be trained as a manager after the player’s career. “We were prepared to be patient with Francesco and help him make the transition from great player to great manager.” For this reason, he had been offered the new position, which the player did not want to accept.
On Monday lunchtime Totti had claimed that the club had “tried everything for years” to drive the club icon out of Rome – with success. The former Italian national team player had gotten his hair in especially with the US-American owner Pallotta.
After Totti’s resignation, there was a rumour that the player would try to overthrow the club leadership. The association also writes of “information on interested parties (for a takeover, editor’s note) which it has collected worldwide”. With regard to this, the Roma also issue a warning in the direction of Totti: “We hope that it was not an inappropriate attempt to take over the club”.
