Atalanta have the Curva Nord closed today after racist abuse at Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, but the ultras put up a somewhat confusing banner in response.

Their match with Hellas Verona kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

During the most recent home game against Juventus, Atalanta ultras in the Curva Nord area of the stadium repeatedly and loudly hurled racist insults at Serbian striker Vlahovic, calling him a ‘gypsy.’

They were punished with the closure of that sector of the stadium for one match, a decision which Atalanta did not appeal.

With the sector closed, the ultras today put a long banner up in front of the blocked entrance to their usual seats.

It reads: ‘In this sick football world, those who believe in an ideal will always be condemned.’

The response has been one, naturally, of bemusement and mockery as to what kind of an ‘ideal’ going to the stadium to racially abuse someone is meant to represent.

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