Why AS Roma Was Really Founded: The Lesser-Known Story Behind the Club That United the Capital in 1927

In the heart of 1920s Rome—an era marked by political upheaval, national pride, and a growing passion for sport—a football club was born that would become the symbol of the Eternal City. But the story of AS Roma’s foundation is more than just a chapter in football history. It’s a tale of power, identity, and strategic vision, created to challenge the sporting dominance of Northern Italy. A truth that, even today, remains largely unknown to many.

A Divided Rome and a Game Ruled by the North

Back then, Italian football was almost entirely dominated by northern clubs—Juventus, Inter, and Milan reigned supreme. The Roman teams of the time—Fortitudo Pro Roma, Roman FC, Alba Audace, and Lazio—struggled to make an impact on the national stage. The championship was regionally organized, and clubs from the Capital rarely advanced to the final rounds.

From this imbalance came the idea of creating a single, strong Roman club, one capable of representing the city with pride and competing on equal terms with the powerhouse teams of the North. The goal was not only to unite the best local talent but also to build a club with political and logistical support—one that could truly aim for the top of Italian football.

Italo Foschi: The Man Behind the Merger

A key figure in this transformation was Italo Foschi, a prominent sports official, Fascist party member, and an expert in Rome’s sporting landscape. As a former commissioner of the Opera Nazionale Balilla and an influential player in sports politics, Foschi understood that Rome needed unity to compete.

In 1927, he played a pivotal role in orchestrating the merger of three clubs: Alba Audace, Roman FC, and Fortitudo Pro Roma. From this fusion, a new club was born: one destined to represent the entire city and challenge the northern giants.