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Serie A, Rome Agree to Noon Sunday Kickoffs for Derby and Linked Matches

The deal preserves simultaneous kickoffs designed to protect sporting integrity in the top-four race.

Overview

  • A deal announced Thursday between Serie A and Rome’s security chiefs sets Roma–Lazio and four other fixtures for Sunday at 12:00 CEST, ending days of uncertainty.
  • Rome’s Prefect had ordered the derby moved to Monday to avoid overlap with the Italian Open final next to the Stadio Olimpico after Cup-final fireworks smoke disrupted tennis play earlier in the week.
  • Lega Serie A appealed to the regional administrative tribunal, which declined to rule and told both sides to reach an agreement, prompting an evening summit that produced the new time.
  • The simultaneous-start rule binds teams chasing the same goal, so Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan and Como will also kick off at noon as three Champions League places remain open behind Inter.
  • Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri had threatened to skip a Sunday midday derby and some Roma ultras warned of a Monday boycott, and the shift also avoids a planned public transport strike on Monday that would have compounded crowd risks.