Celtic fans have sparked a diplomatic incident after announcing it is their ‘duty to make a hostile environment for Lazio and their extreme-right hordes,’ in a statement using an Italian insult.
The Champions League fixture is set to kick off at Celtic Park on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
These clubs met only twice before, in the Europa League group stage in 2019, with Celtic on both occasions coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 late on.
Celtic fans from The North Curve released a statement with the rather unfortunate title of ‘Vaffanculo Lazio,’ which translates to ‘F**k Lazio.’
The statement itself was no more diplomatic, as it included a sentence referencing the reputation of a certain sub-section of the Lazio Ultras.
“We have a duty not only to rally our team, but to make our home a hostile environment for Lazio and their extreme-right hordes.”
Over 900 Lazio fans have purchased tickets for the game and will be in Glasgow tomorrow, so this statement creates concerns that they could be sought out for clashes in the build-up to the match.
There is also a huge Italian community in Glasgow and they will relish the arrival of a Serie A club in the city.