This is a statement released by Lazio yesterday afternoon:

“Lazio and River Plate would like to communicate that due to bureaucratic reasons, the agreement of July 18 is now no longer valid and Carrizo will remain property of River Plate until Lazio can sign him,”

After weeks of twists and turns, Lazio have officially pulled out of the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.

While Carrizo insisted that hs great granfather was born in Pinerolo in Piedmont, the documents that were shown were called into question and the process was delayed.

After a thrilling match full of emotions and in front of 50,000 frenetic chants, Lazio managed to beat 3-1 Dinamo Bucuresti and therefore qualify for the main Champions League draw. Those of you who read my blog were aware of the injuries (and suspensions) Delio Rossi was facing and when you take into account a non favorable match from the first leg, this Lazio win and qualification was one of the most pleasant and happy moment of my time as being LAZIALE.

Since I was unable to watch the match (like the majority of Lazio international fans as RAI only broadcasted for domestic audience) I am posting a match report from a third party website as well as some clips where you can watch the goals from the match as well as the video from Fiumiciono Airport when the team returned to Rome in the late hours.

Match report is here:

Video from Fiumicino:

From SkySports.com

Lazio defender Mobido Diakite is to undergo surgery after scans revealed he has fractured his leg.

Diakite sustained the injury during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Torino and it has now been decided surgery will be required to reduce the damage.

Scans have shown that the 20-year-old has fractured his right shin bone following a collision with Torino striker Nicola Ventola towards the end of the first half of the sides’ Serie A opener.

The news is a major blow to Lazio coach Delio Rossi who already has a number of injury problems ahead of a difficult UEFA Champions League third qualifying round meeting with Dinamo Bucharest on Tuesday.

Readers of this blog, I would like to welcome you to the new Serie A season for our beloved club LAZIO which officialy kicks off tomorrow at 18;00 CET.

Even though all of expected that we would enter this new season in a better way, like having Carrizo issue resolved, having a better result against Dinamo Bucurest and most importantly not having so many players in the injured list, we nevertheless must be optimistic and say NON MOLLARE MAI.

So a huge FORZA LAZIO tomorrow afternoon and let us hope for first three points.

It appears as the deal for Juan Pablo Carrizo may fall appart. That is because unless the goalkeeper fails to obtain an Italian passport until 31 August, Lazio can not sign him as a non EU player as the places are taken with the signing of Kolarov.

Here is an article from Channel4 to have a clearer view of the situation:.

Lazio’s move for Argentine goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo has hit the rocks after residency complications.
The Biancocelesti’s search for a replacement for veteran Angelo Peruzzi, who retired at the end of last season, seemed to be at an end when they agreed a £5m deal with Carrizo’s club River Plate.
Lazio had been relying on the belief that the 23-year-old could secure Italian citizenship due to his great grandfather Francesco Marto, who was a resident of Pinerolo in Piedmont.
However, according to reports in La Stampa, the documents that Carrizo submitted may be invalid and an investigation is underway.
The 40-page family tree is currently being analysed by officials with a decision pending in the next fortnight.
If Carrizo’s application is denied, President Claudio Lotito may go in search of other reported targets including Livorno’s Marco Amelia, Brescia’s Azzurrini custodian Emiliano Viviano and Chelsea’s Carlo Cudicini.
It now seems almost certain that 43-year-old custodian Marco Ballotta will be between the posts for the opening game against Torino on Saturday.

LazioFever.com, a Lazio forum for international fans announced yesterday that because of some technical difficulties, they expect to be down until September.

Until then, LazioFever.com members are urged to join Xtratime.org where the majority of members are already gathered and discussing Lazio.

Also, monitor this blog from time to time to get updates regarding the forum.