Lazio will appeal after UEFA ordered them to play their next Europa League game behind closed doors due to racist chants.
Lazio will appeal after UEFA ordered them to play their next Europa League game behind closed doors due to racist chants.
This is not the first time the Biancocelesti have been penalised due to the behaviour of some fans, so the club was already on a warning.
UEFA’s Disciplinary Commission ruled that in the 1-0 win over Legia Warsaw on September 19 there was “racist behaviour (racist chanting), display of inappropriate banner, ignition of fireworks and late kick-off.”
Lazio will have to play their next home game in the Europa League behind closed doors, which is against Apollon Limassol on November 7.
“We need the fans to realise UEFA are an organisation who want to be respected and have a very strong capacity to punish clubs, even too strong, so we must avoid these situations,” Lazio lawyer Gian Michele Gentile told lalaziosiamonoi.it.
“We keep on making the same mistakes and this damages the image of the team and its fans. Now UEFA send people on purpose to see if something happens at Lazio games.
“I was at the stadium on that day and honestly did not notice any chants. When I read the report from FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe), it was a bolt from the blue for me and all the Lazio directors.
“Now we have three days to lodge an appeal. If it goes well, and I underline this is a best case scenario, we can only have the Curva Nord shut.”
Recently Lazio and Roma were among clubs forced to play Serie A games with the ‘curva’ shut down due to racist chanting.