Roma announced on Sunday that the club’s CEO, Lina Souloukou, has resigned following the controversial firing of head coach and club legend Daniele De Rossi, which has sparked outrage among fans. Souloukou, who previously served as CEO of Olympiacos, steps down after just over a year in her role at Roma, amid mounting fan dissatisfaction over De Rossi's dismissal.
In a brief statement, the club said, "AS Roma announces today that CEO Lina Souloukou has stepped down from her role. We thank Lina for her dedicated service during a critical period for the club and wish her the best in her future endeavours."
Souloukou became a focal point of fan anger after De Rossi was unexpectedly sacked on Wednesday. His dismissal followed a poor start to the season and reports of a strained relationship with the club's leadership. Italian media also reported that Souloukou and her children had been placed under police protection after receiving threats, with some fans going as far as placing a banner outside Roma’s Trigoria training ground, labeling her as "evil."
Did you read this?
De Rossi, a World Cup winner and lifelong Roma player, is a beloved figure among supporters, and his firing has deeply upset the fanbase. The anger intensified when Roma quickly appointed Ivan Juric, a coach with a modest Serie A track record, as De Rossi’s replacement. Juric, viewed by many fans as an uninspiring choice, will take charge of his first match on Sunday against Udinese.
In protest, some of Roma’s hardcore supporters have announced plans to leave their section of the Stadio Olimpico empty for the first 30 minutes of the game. The team has yet to secure a win this season and currently sits 17th in Serie A, just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
