Lazio given partial stadium ban for racist chants at Umtiti

By: The Associated Press Posted: 11:29 AM CST Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023

ROME (AP) — Lazio will play its next game with part of the Stadio Olimpico closed to spectators after fans of the Roman club directed racist chants at Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti and winger Lameck Banda, who are both Black.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/01/2023 (1354 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The referee briefly halted Wednesday’s match, which Lecce won 2-1, when the chants were heard at the Via del Mare stadium in Lecce. Then an announcement was made over the stadium speakers asking the fans to stop.

Lazio fans have a long history of discriminatory behavior and the club has been hit with numerous sanctions both in Serie A and Europe.

Lazio issued a statement Thursday condemning the chants.

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

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 game against Empoli.

Also Thursday, the league judge ordered a further inquiry into apparent racist taunts aimed at Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku by Napoli fans during Inter’s 1-0 win.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports