Lazio given partial stadium ban for racist chants at Umtiti

ROME (AP) — Lazio will play its next game with part of the Stadio Olimpico closed to spectators after fans of the Roman club directed racist chants at Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti and winger Lameck Banda. The referee briefly halted Wednesday’s match when the chants were heard at the Via del Mare stadium in Lecce. Then an announcement was made over the stadium speakers asking the fans to stop. Lazio fans have a long history of discriminatory behavior and the club has been hit with numerous sanctions both in Serie A and Europe. Lazio issued a statement condemning the chants.