Lazio punished after match with Napoli was disrupted by racist chanting
Thursday 4 February 2016 18:32, UK
Lazio have been fined £38,000 and forced to close parts of their stadium for the next two home games, following racist chanting during their midweek defeat to Napoli.
Wednesday night's match was suspended for around three minutes by referee Massimiliano Irrati due to booing from some home fans when Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly touched the ball.
The game was then re-started and leaders Napoli eventually secured a 2-0 victory.
In his report, Irrati said the person responsible for public safety told him he should allow the match to finish, despite further racist chanting when play resumed.
Senegal international Koulibaly later posted a message on Instagram, thanking the referee for his actions, and also expressed his gratitude towards the Napoli fans, 'who have been a great support against these ugly choirs'.
Lazio manager Stefano Pioli said he did not think the chants were racist but the Serie A side have been punished for the incident.
As well as the fine, a stand at the Stadio Olimpico known as the Curva Nord will be closed for two games, and two other sections of the ground will be shut for one of the matches.
The extra punishment for the Curva Nord arises due to a suspended one-match ban following a similar offense last year.
