Curve closed with suspended sentence for one year and fine for throwing smoke bombs and objects. These are the decisions of UEFA with which the Lazio after the Europa League match against Nice, valid for the second round of the championship phase of the new edition of the continental competition and which ended 4-1 in favor of the Biancocelesti. In an official statement from the highest European football body, the Referee Committee communicated its decisions following, as mentioned, the throwing of firecrackers and objects, but above all racist chants against the Nice players, identified during the match by the inspectors and the director of competition.
Below is the official note from the Arbitration Committee:
– To apply the suspended disciplinary measure imposed by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Discipline Committee in the decision of 13 December 2023 for the racist and/or discriminatory behavior of its fans, or to order the partial closure of the SS Lazio stadium (sectors 48 and 49 of the Curva Nord) during the next match (1) of the UEFA competitions in which SS Lazio will play as the host team, in accordance with Article 26(3) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.
– To fine SS Lazio €45,000 and to order the partial closure of the SS Lazio stadium (sectors 48 and 49 of the Curva Nord) for a further match (1) of the UEFA competitions in which SS Lazio will play as the host team, due to the racist behavior of its fans. Such partial closure of the stadium is suspended for a trial period of one (1) year, starting from the date of this decision.
Penalty suspended for one year
In the note, therefore, UEFA specifies that the Curva Nord is disqualified for one match, but with the sentence suspended for one year. The sanction therefore provides for effective disqualification with the closure of the sector in the event that the behavior is repeated and detected again. Against Porto on 7 November, the next home match in the Europa League, Lazio will therefore be able to count on the fans.
Finally, from the official note from the Referee Committee we learn how Lazio was further fined for other reasons:
– To fine SS Lazio €4,500 for lighting fireworks.
– To fine SS Lazio €9,000 for throwing objects.
– To fine the SS Lazio €8,000 for blocking public passages.