UEFA has come out with a strong stance against recent incidents of racist behaviour by isolated groups of Lazio supporters. This follows the racist chants and slurs hurled at opposition players when Lazio took on Nice in a Europa League match on 3 October at the Stadio Olimpico. Lazio won 4-1, but the victory was soured by some fans’ behaviour. As a result of the incidents, the club has been fined €45,000, after a UEFA investigation concluded that sections of the crowd were guilty of contravening its regulations on spectator conduct.
While the club can absorb the fine, it also faces further punishment for its upcoming game against Porto on 7 November. UEFA has ordered that two sections of Stadio Olimpico be closed for this match. A partial closure has also been issued for a second game, but this has been suspended for a period of one year, on a probationary basis. The partial stadium closure affects sections 48 and 49 of the Curva Nord area.
While certainly a blow to both the club and home supporters, senior sports betting editor Ian Bruce points out that these actions haven’t moved the odds on Lazio winning Serie A this year. Currently lying fifth, they are only three points off leaders Napoli. However, they’re not one of the favourites this season, with most of the best betting sites only giving them a 33/1 chance, compared with the 4/6 being offered on Inter. They’re more likely to make the top four, at odds of 9/4. Italian punters are increasingly turning to online bookmakers to place sports bets. Offshore sites are particularly popular, given their relative lack of restrictions, better promotions, and wider betting options, especially when it comes to proposition bets.
Serie A club, Lazio has responded by offering discounted prices on tickets in other sections to season ticket holders who are affected by the sections that will be closed. These will be available for €1 in other parts of the Curva Nord section and the Distinti Nord sections. Fans can also get reduced prices on tickets for other parts of the stadium.
In turn, UEFA views this as a workaround that will undermine its sanctioned punishment and has warned that it is prepared to impose harsher penalties if these incidents happen again. This isn’t the first time that Lazio has had to deal with racism raising its head. In 2023 the club was ordered to close sections of Stadio Olimpico after supporters shouted racist abuse at Lecce players. Lazio has condemned this behaviour in the strongest terms.
In a further twist, FC Twente also faces disciplinary action for some of their fans’ racist chants, this time against Lazio. These were aimed at Loum Tchaouna, during Lazio’s Europa League clash in the Netherlands. The Dutch club has been fined €40,000 and UEFA has also ordered the partial closure of the West stand for the team’s next Europa League home game. This comprises roughly 2,000 seats behind the goal. Twente was fined a further €10,000 for unsportsmanlike messaging at an event, and another €33,125 as a result of their supporters throwing objects onto the pitch.
