Racism in Lazio: Fan chants mean part of stadium closed

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Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti, on loan from Barcelona, ​​was among those targeted by racist abuse

Lazio have been ordered to close part of their stadium for their next match after fans directed racist abuse at two Lecce players on Wednesday.

The Curva Nord section of Rome’s Stadio Olimpico will be closed for Sunday’s Serie A game against Empoli.

Defender Samuel Umtiti and winger Lameck Banda were the target of racist chants from Lazio fans during Wednesday’s match, which Lecce won 2-1.

Lazio condemned the ‘despicable and shameful’ chants.

“Lazio fans are not racist and cannot be associated with a few individuals who seriously damage the image of the club,” the club said.external-link

“Lazio has always opposed all forms of racism and discrimination with all available means. The club will, as always, offer the maximum collaboration to the authorities to identify those responsible.”

The game at Lecce’s Via del Mare stadium was delayed as an announcement calling for the chants to stop was made.

The name of French defender Umtiti has been chanted by home fans in an attempt to cover up the abuse.

“The racial slurs were drowned out by choruses of encouragement towards our champion,” Lecce said in a statement.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino addressed the abuse in a social media post on Thursday.

“Solidarity with Samuel Umtiti and Lameck Banda – let’s shout it loud and clear: No to racism,” he said.

“May the vast majority of fans, who are good people, rise up to silence all racists once and for all.”

Lazio’s stadium was partially closed for their Europa League game against Celtic in 2019 due to racist behavior from their fans.

In 2020, Lazio were fined 20,000 euros ($17,700) for their fans’ racist abuse of Brescia striker Mario Balotelli.

Serie A are also investigating allegations of racist abuse of Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku by Napoli fans on Wednesday during the Belgian striker’s side’s 1-0 win.

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