January 6 – Lazio have been handed a partial one-match stadium restriction after fans directed racist chants at Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti and winger Lameck Banda in an away Serie A game earlier this week that prompted widespread outrage.
Lazio’s ‘curva nord’, the northern end of the stadium where the club’s hard-core ‘ultra’ fans sit, will be closed for Sunday’s home game against Empoli.
The referee briefly halted Wednesday’s match, which Lecce won 2-1, as an announcement over the stadium speakers urged the fans to stop their vile chanting. French international Umtiti left the pitch in tears at the end but was given a rousing ovation by the home fans.
Lazio has a long history of discriminatory behaviour because of the club’s links with far right-wing organisations. The club has been hit with numerous sanctions both in Serie A and Europe over the years.
Lazio issued a statement Thursday condemning Wednesday’s abuse which even led to FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaking out against racism in football in a post on Instagram.
“Lazio fans are not racists and cannot be associated with a few individuals who seriously damage the club’s image,” the club statement said, though it will do little to improve the club’s tarnished reputation.
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