Lazio president Claudio Lotito has no sympathy for West Ham United as they battle to stay afloat amid the world's banking collapse.

"What we preached four years ago is taking place," Lotito told Italian radio station Radio Radio.

"Clubs should be managed like all other companies.

"It's unthinkable that a club produces high debts that jeopardise their very existence."

Football Association chairman Lord Triesman estimated this week that clubs in England owe over £3 billion, but the Italian equivalents are forced to balance their books, according to Lotito.

"For years, many teams were in debt. Today they are forced to pay otherwise they would not be allowed to enter the championship.

"No one can think they can spend three times what they have. If annual budgets slip, debts accumulate which leads to the company collapsing.

"It took me three years to be able to restore Lazio."