Lazio face stadium ban from UEFA amid allegations of racism
Supporters charged for the fourth time this season
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Lazio are facing the prospect of playing a home Europa League tie behind closed doors after UEFA charged their supporters with offences of a racist nature for the fourth time this season.
European football's governing body confirmed today they have charged the Rome club for the 'racist behaviour' of their fans during last Thursday's 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach as well as the 'throwing of missiles and or fireworks' and 'insufficient organisation'.
Lazio fans were found guilty of similar racist offences in the home and away ties against Tottenham and the game with Maribor.
Following the game in Slovenia, UEFA suspended a sanction of playing a Europa League tie behind closed doors for a probationary period of two years.
That could now be imposed when UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body meet tomorrow and could mean the Stadio Olimpico is empty when Lazio host Stuttgart on March 14 in the second leg of their last-16 tie.
Monchengladbach also face a charge after their fans lit fireworks in the stadium as Lazio advanced 5-3 on aggregate following a 3-3 draw in the first leg.
The build-up to the match was overshadowed by trouble with 8,000 German fans having descended on Rome.
Three Monchengladbach fans were stabbed in confrontations although none of the injuries were serious.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito was dismayed by the latest outbreak of violence although he felt it was unfair to blame the club.
He told Sky Sport Italia: "I would urge the media not to label the protagonists of all these incidents as 'Lazio fans'. Rome is a metropolis and as such is inhabited also by bad people.
"For example, there is no suggestion so far that those behind these incidents were part of Lazio's organised fan groups.
"Nobody is trying to justify this behaviour, but I say this because I am in constant contact with the police and want to understand if these people really are linked with Lazio.
"In my view they should do a quick trial and send them to prison for some time, so they don't have the chance to do it again."
PA
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments