Explained: Why Lazio fans boycott Coppa Italia semi final with Atalanta

Lazio are hosting Atalanta in the Coppa Italia semi-final this evening, but only circa 5,000 tickets have been sold, as the local ultras are boycotting their matches in protest.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The second leg will be in Bergamo on April 21 or 22, with the winner going on to face either Inter or Como in the Final.

Lazio playing in an empty stadium

In theory, Lazio are supposed to make the most of home advantage in this game, but it certainly won’t feel like it when they take to the field in a practically empty stadium.

The Aquile supporters have been protesting against President Claudio Lotito and his running of the club for many months, even years, and the situation reached a head over the last couple of weeks.

They declared that they are boycotting home games and choose to sit outside the stadium walls rather than purchase a ticket.

So a march of thousands of fans will take place from Ponte Milvio to the Stadio Olimpico before kick-off, at which point they will sit outside the Curva Nord where they would usually take their seats, and cheer on the team from outside.

A shocking 5,000 tickets have reportedly been sold for tonight’s match, which is their last chance to salvage the season by reaching the Coppa Italia Final.

This is the third home fixture in a row the fans have boycotted, after the Serie A matches against Genoa and Atalanta.

Their fury was only intensified by another leaked phone call with a Lazio supporter this morning, when he hit back at criticism for choosing players not suited to Maurizio Sarri’s football.

“This club has one name only in charge and that is Claudio Lotito. It is not Sarri, if Sarri wants it, he can buy the club. The coach has to deal with the players he has at his disposal and make them play, otherwise he is not a good coach.”