31 Jan 2013

Lazio fined for fans' racism

12:01 pm on 31 January 2013

Lazio have been fined $230,000 by European football's governing body UEFA and the Italian club has been warned that any repeat of the racist abuse heard in two Europa League matches late last year.

And UEFA's also ruled that the offences by Lazio's fans in the games against NK Maribor and Tottenham Hotspur will result in them playing one match behind closed doors - though that decision's been suspended for two years.

Various racist incidents before and after their home clash with Tottenham in November as well as similar conduct in a clash in Maribor in December raised the ire of UEFA, as well as the throwing of missiles and the lighting of fireworks.

A group of Lazio supporters chanted "Juden Tottenham, Juden Tottenham" ("Jews Tottenham in German) when the game got underway and unfurled a banner saying "Free Palestine".

The night before the match a Tottenham fan was seriously injured during an attack in bar.

Tottenham were fined $16,000 after their fans were involved in crowd disturbances in the stadium.

Maribor were hit with a $27,000 fine for insufficient match organisation for the game against Lazio.

All three clubs have three days to appeal.