Celtic welcome Lazio in the Europa League next week and they travel to Italy for the return leg at the start of next year. And the Bhoys have received a major advantage for the away leg.
Lazio have been fined around £17,340 for racist chanting during the 2-1 win over Rennes on 3 October and they have also been asked to shut four sections of the Stadio Olimpico, which also includes the Curva Nord(as reported).
And this is a piece of very big news for Celtic since the Curva Nord primarily consists of the Ultras and with them not getting entry inside the stadium, the atmosphere will surely be less hostile.
Initially, it was being reported that the Lazio vs Celtic clash might be played inside a closed stadium but Lazio have gotten away with only a partial ban which is a big sigh of relief for the club.
The Ultras though are not too happy with the decision and they have released a statement stating their discontent.
The statement read(as quoted): “It’s a farcical sentence because UEFA punish the weakest teams in these situations.
“Our club just accept this and once again, Lazio fans are paying the consequences. Against Celtic, they will have 10,000 fans in our stadium. Our players need the contribution of the Curva Nord. So UEFA have given Celtic a massive advantage.
“We are amazed at this punishment but we see no point of further challenging this and inviting further punishment and we have decided there are other ways we can make our voices heard.
“So for our games against Atalanta and when we play Celtic in Rome, we invite every single Lazio fan to wear a scarf and wave a flag. Colouring the Stadio Olimpico in Lazio colours will be our response.”
UEFA Hand Lazio Partial Stadium Ban Following Racist Behaviour From Fans During Europa League Tie pic.twitter.com/GnCHmk1VLl
— Lantan Sport (@Lantansport) October 16, 2019
This partial stadium closure will be a big boon for Celtic more so if they can stop Lazio from taking away all three points next weekend at Celtic Park.
Right now, Celtic are sitting on top of Group E with four points while Lazio have picked up three points and are currently third on the table.
