Serie A's sporting judge has asked Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) prosecutors to carry out a further probe into alleged monkey chants directed by Lazio fans at Brescia striker Mario Balotelli in Sunday's 2-1 win for the Romans in Brescia.
In particular, the judge wants the prosecutors to try and
establish which sector of the ground the chants came from,
sources said.
In the meantime, Lazio has been fined 20,000 euros in the
case.
Sources said the judge may eventually order the closure of
the Lazio fans Curva Nord at the Olimpico for one or more
matches because this is the latest in a long line of racist
chant cases by the Biancocelesti fans.
Former Inter, Man City, Liverpool, AC Milan, Nice and
Marseille striker Balotelli, 28, has frequently been targeted by
racist chanting.
In November Hellas Verona fans aimed monkey chant at him.
Balotelli hoofed the ball into the stand after being targeted
by the chants.
It was the latest in a string of episodes of racist chanting
in Italian soccer this season.
Penalties have so far been criticised as lenient.
In the wake of the Verona incident Italy coach Roberto
Mancini was urged to recall Balotelli, who last played for the
Azzurri in June 2018, as a "signal" against racism in soccer.
Mancini replied that he would not call the Italo-Ghanaian up
again just because of his skin colour.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
