Lazio have been handed a €20,000 (£16,958) fine for their fans’ racist abuse of Brescia striker Mario Balotelli, but have temporarily avoided a stadium closure.
The former Liverpool forward was subjected to abhorrent chants from sections of the Lazio supporters in last Sunday’s Serie A clash at Stadio Mario Rigamonti.
Balotelli made officials aware of what was being heard from the away section of the ground and the match was temporarily brought to a halt. A stadium announcement was then made during the game urging the away fans not to sing discriminatory songs towards the forward.
Serie A judge Gerardo Mastrandrea requested further details on the incident be handled by the Italian football federation prosecutor to determine the exact whereabouts of the chants, while equally allowing time to asses Lazio’s role in helping to identify the people responsible so that the correct punishment could be made.
As the BBC have revealed, that punishment amounts to the aforementioned fee.
Balotelli had initially handed the home side the lead after 18 minutes, before the chanting started and the game was stopped on the half-hour mark. Ciro Immobile scored from the penalty spot after the match resumed, with the Italian striker netting the winner in second half stoppage time.
Afterwards, Lazio condemned their away supporters for their actions with a statement, declaring: “As always, Lazio dissociates in the most taxing way from the discriminatory behaviour carried out by a very small minority of fans during the match against Brescia.
“The club once again reiterates its condemnation of such unjustified misconduct and confirms its intent to prosecute those who in fact betray their sporting passion, causing serious damage to the image of the club.”
This is not the first time this season that the former Manchester City and Premier League winner has been subject to vile racist abuse. Back in November he threatened to leave the field over chants directed at him by Hellas Verona fans. Romelu Lukaku, Franck Kessie, Dalbert Henrique, Miralem Pjanic, Ronaldo Vieira and Kalidou Koulibaly have also been subjected to offensive chanting in Italy this season.