Samuel Umtiti leaves pitch in tears after racist chants from Lazio fans in first match back in Serie A
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ByEurosport
Updated 05/01/2023 at 08:58 GMT
2023 got off to a terrible start for Serie A as yet another racism scandal blew up with Lazio fans abusing two Lecce players. Lecce triumphed 2-1 in the end but the game was nearly suspended after disgusting chants aimed at Samuel Umtiti and Lameck Banda during the match. The referee paused the game to put a message out over the speaker system before eventually resuming.
Samuel Umtiti
Image credit: Getty Images
Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti left the field in tears following his team’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Lazio on Wednesday after being the subject of racist chanting from the away fans.
World Cup winner Umtiti and his team-mate Lameck Banda were the targets of audible racist chanting from the Lazio fans in the away end during the match.
Referee Livio Marinelli stopped the game upon hearing the chants and had a message played over the announcer system that said the game would be permanently stopped if the chants did not cease.
In response the Lecce fans chanted Umtiti’s name and the game carried on, resulting in a Lecce victory, but Umtiti was visibly upset when walking off at full-time.
Speaking after the game, Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani explained that Umtiti wanted the game to carry on.
“I hugged Samuel, as I do with all his team-mates. After each match, regardless of the result, I want to greet the boys and the staff," he said.
“When the referee stopped the game, waiting for the announcer to call for an end to the racist chants, Umtiti asked for the game to resume because he wanted to respond to the insults he received on the pitch. He reacted like a true champion.”
Lecce's club account tweeted: “Racist chants have been overwhelmed by songs of encouragement! All the yellow and red Lecce fans started shouting one name: Umtiti.”
Writing on Instagram after the game, Umtiti said: “Great win for #forzalecce.”
He received supportive messages from the likes of Jerome Boateng, Naby Sarr and Alexandre Lacazette.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also posted a message of support.
“Solidarity with Samuel Umtiti and Lameck Banda - let’s shout it loud and clear: NO TO RACISM!” he said on social media.
“May the huge majority of fans, who are good people, stand up to shut up all the racists once and for all.”
The game was part of Serie A’s first day of games back after the extended winter break for the World Cup.
The win moved Lecce up to 12th while Lazio stayed fifth.
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