August 27 – Lazio, currently feeling the heat due to a racist element amongst their supporters and without a short sponsor, wore a strong anti-racism message for Sunday’s Serie A match against Udinese.
As they beat Udinese 2-1, the team’s shorts were emblazoned with ‘We love football, we fight racism’ in English above black and white handprints. The team also used young mascots from Rome’s black community to reinforce the anti-racism message.
The game was played without any supporters in the famous Curva Nord section, after the club’s appeal against its closure, on the grounds of fans directing racist abuse against Juventus players during the Super Cup, was rejected two days earlier by the Italian Football Federation.
When the club played Udinese last year they were wearing shirts emblazoned with ‘No Racism’ – an indicator that stronger persuasive measures may be required to tackle the culture of racism amongst some Lazio fans who have a reputation for extreme right wing politics.
Last season the club had to play two home matches behind closed doors in the Europa League after fans racially insulted Borussia Moenchengladbach players.
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