LAZIO have hit back at their own fans ahead of the Europa League double header with Celtic and the Italian side remain concerned that the fascist element in their support will end up costing them dearly as far as European participation is concerned.
Earlier in the week UEFA ordered a partial closure of their Stadio Olimpico for the visit of Celtic next month with the Ultras section, the Curva Nord being closed. This Lazio v Celtic match will see a huge away support descending on Rome for the crucial Europa League encounter. The governing body also hit Lazio with a fine and even more concerning for the club’s bosses, a full stadium closure suspended for one year.
So if there is any repeat of the disgraceful behaviour from their fascist ultras at either Celtic Park or indeed at their home match that this could spell severe trouble for Lazio.
The Lazio official Arturo Diaconale has been talking about the club’s concerns regarding their own fans.
“Unfortunately, the behaviour of very few fans – we believe it was around 20 – risks our progress in the Europa League.
“Because of this, we are forced to play Celtic in our own stadium without the support of the Curva Nord.
“Furthermore, if this behaviour continues at our future matches in Europe, we are at serious risk of the entire stadium being closed.
“We only escaped a full ban this time because our president’s insistence on zero tolerance in the future.
“We respect our supporters’ rights to have political opinions, but it makes no sense to express these in stadiums home or away, especially when it is known that UEFA are monitoring us.
“I appeal for it not to happen again in our future games because it damages Lazio.”
The Lazio fans had earlier hit out at the UEFA punishment, which relates to unacceptable behaviour at the recent Europa League Group match against Rennes.
The supporters spokesman Yuri Alviti hit out at the UEFA punishment.
“It’s a farcical sentence because UEFA punish the weakest teams in these situations. Our club just accept this and once again, Lazio fans are paying the consequences.
“Against Celtic, they will have 10,000 fans in our stadium. Our players need the contribution of the Curva Nord. So UEFA have given Celtic a massive advantage.
“We are amazed at this punishment but we see no point of further challenging this and inviting further punishment and we have decided there are other ways we can make our voices heard.
“So for our games against Atalanta and when we play Celtic in Rome, we invite every single Lazio fan to wear a scarf and wave a flag.
“Colouring the Stadio Olimpico in Lazio colours will be our response,” he said in his statement which was reported on Scottish Sun.
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