UEFA punishes Lazio for fans’ racism at Europa League game
UEFA has punished Lazio for fans' racist behavior by closing one end of Stadio Olimpico for its Europa League game against Celtic.
UEFA says its disciplinary panel also threatened Lazio with a onegame full stadium closure, suspended for a one-year probationary period. The club was fined 20,000 euros ($22,000).
Lazio suggested late Tuesday it would appeal against what it called "severe punishment," though the sanctions align with UEFA's escalating scale in discrimination cases.
The Italian club has regularly been punished by UEFA in recent years for chants and fascist salutes made by "ultra" fan groups.
The latest incidents were at an Oct. 3 game against Rennes.
UEFA has ordered both tiers of the Curva Nord stand closed when Celtic visits on Nov. 7.
Lazio may appeal against "severe punishment" for racism
Lazio says it may appeal against UEFA's "severe punishment" for the racist behavior of some of the Italian club's fans during a recent Europa League match.
As well as racist chanting in the Oct. 3 match against Rennes, some Lazio fans also made fascist salutes during their team's 2-1 victory.
UEFA is not expected to publicly announce its ruling until after its disciplinary committee meets Thursday but Lazio released a statement on Tuesday, indicating that it has already been informed of sanctions.
It says the "decisions of UEFA's 'Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body' ... constitute a severe punishment which appears to have taken into account the clear condemnation swiftly expressed by the Biancocelesti club against the odious racist behavior of a few irresponsible people."
Lazio reiterated its intention to pursue those responsible in criminal and civil courts but also adds that it reserves the right to appeal "on the basis of the outcome which still has to be finalized."
Lazio had to play the match against Rennes with a stand closed after previous racist chanting and it could see more of its stadium — or potentially all of it — shut down, especially with the pressure on UEFA after more racist chanting blighted England's 6-0 win in Bulgaria on Monday.