The Champions League

Lazio handed partial stadium ban following Samuel Umtiti racial abuse

Lazio will play their next home game with a partial stadium ban due to the racial abuse their fans directed at Samuel Umtiti during the clubs game away to Leece on Wednesday night.

According to the Associated Press, Lazio will have to close part of the Stadio Olimpico for the next game against Empoli on Sunday. It will be Lazio’s “curva Nord”, the northern end of the stadium which usually facilitates the club’s “ultra” fans, that will be closed.

Lazio fans have a storied history of discriminatory behaviour and have faced multiple sanctions for its fans behaviour over the years but to no avail.

Lazio themselves released a statement on Thursday afternoon, stating that they condemn the chants and will cooperate with authorities to find those responsible.

“Lazio fans are not racists and cannot be associated with a few individuals who seriously damage the club’s image.”

It is likely this ban won’t be the end of the repercussions for the appalling behaviour which was on show on Wednesday, behaviour which prompted FIFA President to speak out against racism in football in his post on Instagram.

This wasn’t the only incident of racial abuse on Wednesday night as the league judge has ordered an inquiry into apparent racial abuse aimed at Inter striker Romelu Lukaku by Napoli fans.

A bad night for Serie A.

Jonathan Maze | GIFN



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