Lazio president Claudio Lotito is furious with the lack of recognition his efforts have received in the media.

"I took on a club that was dead and now the fans can see Lazio play Real Madrid in the Champions League," said Lotito in reaction to rumours he is ready to sell up.

"It is a complete lie. I have no intention of selling, now or ever. I have torn up the rulebook of Italian football and want to throw the merchants out of the temple.

"Why does everything I do have to be turned into a negative? I took this club to the Champions League by balancing the books. The team is only struggling a little now because the Coach and fitness staff quite rightly prepared them for the long term."