Rome derby scheduling row adds to Serie A tension as Milan fight for top four

ROME: A dispute over security arrangements in Rome has added fresh turmoil to Serie A at a decisive stage of the season, with Roma left dealing with uncertainty over the timing of their derby against Lazio while AC Milan try to halt a sharp decline that has put their Champions League place in danger.

Roma, who sit fifth, are due to meet Lazio at midday on Sunday, but the kick-off time for one of Italy's most charged fixtures remained in doubt for much of the week. The uncertainty came as the capital club continue their push to qualify for Europe's top club competition.

On Tuesday, Rome's Prefect, described as the head of public safety, ordered that the derby be shifted from 12.30pm on Sunday to Monday night. The move was aimed at preventing the high-risk match from overlapping with the men's final at the Italian Open.

The Stadio Olimpico stands within the same Foro Italico complex as the tennis tournament, one of the ATP's leading Masters 1000 events. The decision was taken to reduce the risk of crowd trouble near spectators attending the tennis event.

Appeals and backlash over derby timing

The order triggered wider disruption because all five matches involving clubs still chasing Champions League qualification — including fixtures involving Como, Juventus, Milan and Napoli as well as Roma — are required to begin at the same time.

Only five points separate second-placed Napoli from sixth-placed Como, underlining the significance of Sunday's round of matches and the financial consequences attached to reaching, or missing out on, the Champions League.

Serie A and supporters reacted angrily to the ruling, leading to two days of appeals and exchanges between the league and Rome's security authorities. The administrative tribunal handling Serie A's appeal then sent the matter back to the parties involved and asked them to resolve it themselves.

During the standoff, Roma's hardcore supporters said they would boycott one of the club's biggest matches in years, protesting what they saw as a farcical ending to an embarrassing season for Italian football. Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri also threatened to walk away from the fixture if it was not played on Monday night.

After two days of public statements and extensive media attention, the outcome was that the five key matches in the race for Champions League places were brought forward by only 30 minutes.

Milan's slump deepens pressure

The confusion has also affected Milan, who were already under strain before their trip to Genoa because of a dramatic loss of form that has jeopardised what had appeared to be a secure top-four finish.

Milan have taken only seven points since beating Inter Milan two months ago, a result that had briefly revived hopes of a return to the title race for the seven-time European champions. Those hopes faded quickly, however, as they managed only six goals after that derby victory.

Their scoring struggles have left Milan fourth on 67 points, level with Roma. The pressure has been intensified by Inter's title celebrations after their march to the Scudetto. Inter are set to celebrate at San Siro and across the city after the champions' home match with relegated Roma.

Fan anger was visible last weekend when supporters left the San Siro during the home defeat to Atalanta. The mood around the club has become so tense that Gerry Cardinale, founder of Milan owners RedBird, gave a rare interview to Gazzetta Dello Sport in which he defended the ownership and indicated that changes could come in the close season.

To not have won the league is disappointing, not reaching the Champions League would be a failure, said Cardinale.

We you have to have the best people, you need to be able to attract the best in every area, and we're not there yet.

Elsewhere, Cremonese could suffer immediate relegation back to Serie B if they fail to win at Udinese and Lecce beat Sassuolo.