AS Roma Announces Gradual Return of Classic 'ASR' Crest, Honoring Tradition and Fan Sentiment

Italian Serie A giants AS Roma has officially announced the gradual return of its historic crest featuring the classic 'ASR' monogram. This major decision was revealed by the club's owners, The Friedkin Group, in an end-of-season open letter to the fans. The move aims to honor the club's rich tradition and actively respond to the long-standing, fervent wishes of its vast fanbase, and is seen as a profound return to the club's identity.

Since the 2013 crest modernization pushed by former American president James Pallotta, Roma has used a crest featuring the word 'ROMA' and the founding year '1927'. The change was intended to enhance global brand recognition and marketability; however, this 'modernized' approach failed to win over the hearts of the fans and instead sparked significant controversy.

Many loyal supporters believed that removing the 'ASR' monogram (an acronym for Associazione Sportiva Roma) was a departure from the club's historical roots and stripped the crest of its soul. For years, the call to restore the traditional crest has been a constant among the fanbase, becoming a persistent emotional issue between the club and its supporters.

The Friedkin Group emphasized in the announcement that this return is "not a simple reproduction" but rather a modern reinterpretation drawing inspiration from several classic versions in the club's history, particularly from the 1960s and 70s. The new crest's key changes are full of detail, reflecting meticulous consideration and respect in its design:

The Core Return of the "ASR" Monogram: The most central change to the new crest is undoubtedly the reintroduction of the highly symbolic 'ASR' monogram on the lower half of the shield. Its font style has been redesigned, referencing the 1940's version's design, with fluid and expressive lines, fulfilling the fans' greatest long-standing wish.

A More Traditional She-Wolf Figure: The image of the Capitoline Wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, a symbol of the city of Rome, has also been meticulously redrawn. The new design abandons the flatter, simplified lines of the 2013 version in favor of a more delicate and traditional artistic rendering, which significantly enhances the emblem's sense of depth and history.

Optimization of Shield Shape and Colors: The shield's silhouette has also been fine-tuned, appearing more slender and sharp overall, giving it a modern feel. The border trim has also been changed from the previous black to a bright yellow, more representative of the club, making the classic Giallorossi (red and yellow) color scheme more striking and harmonious.

In its official statement, the club wrote: "We are proud to announce the progressive return of the historic ASR crest, a symbol that embodies the soul of this Club. This decision, taken with deep respect for our tradition and in response to the heartfelt wishes of our supporters, is a tribute to Roma’s identity. "

The history of AS Roma's crest is in itself a story of the evolution of the city's and the team's identity. Beginning with the first badge in 1927, the 'Lupa Capitolina' (She-wolf with infants) has been the absolute core element. It originates from the ancient myth of Rome's founding, symbolizing the club's profound connection to the Eternal City.

Throughout its nearly century-long history, the crest has undergone numerous evolutions—from circular to shield-shaped, from realistic to minimalist—but the she-wolf and the 'ASR' monogram have always remained the two core elements most recognized and beloved by the fans.

According to the club's plan, the return of this crest will be "gradual." Although an official timeline has not yet been provided, it is widely predicted that the new crest will be fully implemented on the first team's kits starting from the 2026-27 season. The current crest will still be used on the kits for the 2025-26 season. This move is widely seen as a significant gesture by The Friedkin Group, demonstrating respect for tradition and a willingness to listen to the voice of the fans, setting a harmonious tone for the club's upcoming centenary celebrations.