Stefano Mauri insists he doesn't want to leave Lazio.

"I want to reiterate my desire to stay with Lazio as long as possible," insisted the creative midfielder, who broke Lazio's Press blackout to quell the reports.

"For the past two months my agent has been negotiating a contract extension with President Claudio Lotito.

"I did not inspire and am in no way responsible for the comments made by my father and I distance myself from those statements.

"I extend my apologies to Coach Rossi, his staff, my teammates and the fans who I hope will not hold against me allusions and comments that were not mine."