CROWD TROUBLE: Lazio fans were judged to have made racist chants in a match against Juventus (PA)
SERIE A side Lazio have been punished for fans making racist chants with the part closure of their home ground.
League authorities ordered the Rome club to shut the north stand of the Olympic Stadium for their next game against Udinese on Sunday.
The reprimand comes after Juventus players were racially abused by Lazio fans in the Supercoppa final.
The Old Lady’s players Paul Pogba, Angelo Ogbonna and Kwadwo Asamoah were some of the men targeted during the 4-0 defeat they inflicted on Lazio.
After the game, Pogba said: “We heard it, they're ignorant.
“What can I do? I'm alone against 30,000 fans. They do that even though there are black players in their team.”
The former Manchester United midfielder added: “It's also a lack of respect towards their own players.
“It's really not nice to come to a football match and hear those sorts of things, but I'm a player, I concentrate on my job.”
In a statement on its official website, Serie A said: “(Lazio) are obliged to play one game with the 'Curva Nord' closed to spectators.
“Fans from the nominated stand directed racially discriminatory chants to three opposition players between the 16th and 28th minutes of the first half and the 20th to 43rd minutes of the second half.”
It is not the first time Lazio fans have been in the headlines for racist abuse – last season Uefa fined the club £120,000 after its supporters hurled racist insults at Tottenham players during a Europa League match.