Lazio fined £32,500 for racist taunts

Lazio have been fined £32,500 by Uefa for the improper conduct of their fans during last month’s Europa League tie against Tottenham.

Loud monkey chanting was heard to come from the away fans and was directed at
Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend during the Group J clash at White Hart Lane, which ended 0-0 after three Spurs goals were ruled out. Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said he did not hear the offending chants at the game, which was attended by Uefa president Michel Platini.

Uefa’s Control and Disciplinary Body took the decision yesterday, although Lazio have up to three days to appeal.

The sanctions, coupled with several other ongoing racial abuse cases, have come at a bad time for Uefa as Champions League and Europa League matches next week will be used to showcase activities organised by Uefa and Football Against Racism in Europe.

Last season Uefa fined Porto £16,700 for fans’ racist abuse directed at Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure.

Lazio are currently top of Group J after picking up four points from their first two games and host Spurs at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on
20 November.