Lazio President Claudio Lotito says he is trying to restore the club's global reputation. "We've been damaged by past history."
Lazio are flying high in Serie A and won the Coppa Italia last season, but their ultras continue to court controversy for acts of hooliganism and far-right links.
Lotito himself was accused of racism earlier in the season, when he described white skin as ‘normal’, but he made it clear his predecessors had a lot to answer for.
“Lazio still have a lack of recognition in terms of our behaviour due to past history,” he explained at a press conference for the Supercoppa against Juventus this weekend.
“I have tried to instil precise values during my time as President. Even today, when there are international matches, our fans are always pointed out as right-wing and racist.
“We have put in place a series of measures aimed at preventing these incidents. We have made a choice because we are always respectful of the rules.
“We’ve always been at the forefront of fighting and bringing results, to eradicate the negative phenomena even within the fans. We respect human dignity, for the weakest people.
“We want us to be recognised for what we do.”
Serie A has been roundly criticised for holding the Supercoppa in Saudi Arabia, but the patron claimed his club was not just in the country to play football.
“It’s easy to say that this is a world that violates human rights. We must and want to change the system and to do so we must fight.
“I tell you what Lazio are doing in Riyadh. With a local representative we put on a meeting with all the women to show that they are not a species in extinction, but a reality that must be respected and protected.
“They must have equal rights. We need to make sure that that kind of mentality has changed.”