Lazio fined 20,000 euro for racist chants aimed at Balotelli
The side from the capital were fined after a section of their supporters hurled racist insults at Brescia's Mario Balotelli during the Serie A fixture last weekend.
Related stories
Once again, a Serie A match last weekend was overshadowed by racism as a sector of the travelling Lazio fans aimed insults and directed monkey chants at Brescia's Mario Balotelli. The striker raised the issue with match official Mr. Manganiello in the first half with the referee briefly interrupting the match as the PA system announced that that the game would be stopped should the chants persist.
"Lazio fans present at the stadium today, shame on you."
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 5, 2020
Mario Balotelli has said fans should be ashamed of themselves after reports of racist abuse during today's Serie A match between Brescia and Lazio.
In full ➡ https://t.co/evGiF8TmyV pic.twitter.com/CoaYmGtRnO
Lazio later issued a statement in which it condemned the behaviour of a "tiny minority" of its supporters. The side from the capital also claimed that it would seek prosecution for those responsible. The club's intention to target the individuals involved and to cooperate in the investigation has seen the side avoid heavier punishment.
Racist incidents and the phenomenon of monkey chants have become a common feature in Italian stadiums this season with the likes of Inter's Romalu Lukaku, Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly, Franck Kessié and Ronaldo Vieira all having been on the receiving end of racist chants.