European football's governing body UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Rome club Lazio whose fans chanted racist and anti-Semitic slogans during a European match with the British team Tottenham Hotspur FC last November. According to a statement issued by the Switzerland-based UEFA, "proceedings will also be instigated against Lazio for throwing of missiles and/or fireworks by their supporters, incidents of a non-sporting nature, late team arrival at the stadium, and late handling of the team sheet.”
At the match in Rome on 22 November 2012, Lazio fans chanted “Juden Tottenham” and unfurled a large banner reading 'Free Palestine'. In reaction, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said UEFA should ban Lazio from European matches in the event of further racist or anti-Semitic incidents at their ground. Lauder expressed shock and disgust at the incident. Lazio, Rome's main club, is known for its militant, far-right hardcore fans. The night before the match, several Tottenham fans were injured when dozens of men wearing masks and helmets, and wielding knives and clubs, attacked them at a pub on central Rome’s popular Campo de’ Fiori.
The UEFA statement said it would "also commence proceedings against Tottenham Hotspur FC, who face charges related to crowd disturbances.” The association's Control and Disciplinary Body will discuss both cases later this month.
