After considering the match report from referee Massimiliano Irrati, which noted the full extent of the chanting, levied a €50,000 fine against Lazio and imposed a two-match closure of the Curva Nord, the section that houses Lazio’s “Ultras” and the center of the racist chanting. In February 2015, M’Baye Niang and Edenilson were subject to racist chanting at the Olimpico while playing for Genoa.
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Lazio, who have also been fined £38,000, went on to lose the match 2-0 against the Serie A leaders.
Referee Massimilano Irrati reported to the judge that the temporary suspension was decided only after his request was turned down to broadcast on loudspeakers the risk of calling off the game if the chants continued.
“An important victory! But tonight I want to thank everyone for the messages of solidarity I’ve received”, Koulibaly wrote on his Instagram account.
“I thank my team mates, the public and our fans, who have been a great support against these ugly chants”.
“The situation was becoming embarrassing, for Koulibaly and for everybody”, Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri said. But I think he took it all in his stride because he is very intelligent, has a good head on his shoulders and was being helped by his teammates.
“The chanting is unjustified but by stopping play you give a sense of importance to a tiny minority of troublemakers”.
Top-flight officials have been granted the power to halt or even abandon games in the face of discriminatory behaviour from fans following a series of racist incidents. It certainly wasn’t the entire stadium.
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Racism has often reared its ugly head in Italian football, with Mario Balotelli, Kevin Prince Boateng and Kevin Constant three recent targets of abuse.
