Olympique de Marseille said Thursday evening that it reserved the right to "file a complaint" following "presumptions" of racist cries from the public of Lazio Rome during the Europa League match at Stadio Olimpico (0- 0).
“Following the presumption of racist cries against our players, the club recalls that it strongly condemns any form of discrimination.
OM reserves the right to lodge a complaint in the event that UEFA confirms these serious accusations, ”the club said on Twitter.
Several journalists present in Rome said after the meeting to have heard cries of monkey emanating from the platform of the fans of Lazio, targeting in particular the Senegalese striker Bamba Dieng, entered during the match.
Asked at a press conference, neither coach Jorge Sampaoli nor goalkeeper Pau Lopez confirmed having heard such racist cries.
Italian football and racism, episode 34.987
The Spanish doorman explained that he had "not realized".
“It's true that when Dieng had the ball he was whistled a bit, but I don't think it was done on purpose.
Cengiz Under and I, who were Roma players, were also whistled tonight, I think it was the same way, not differently on that subject, ”he explained.
Lazio, which has the reputation of having resolutely fascist tifosi, has already been sanctioned (fines, closing of stands…) in the past by UEFA and the Italian Federation for the behavior of its supporters.
Racist incidents are recurrent in Italian stadiums: the Belgian Romelu Lukaku, the Ivorian Franck Kessié, the Brazilian Dalbert or the English Ronaldo Vieira have already been victims, like the French Mike Maignan this season.
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