Celtic’s Europa League match against Lazio in Rome will be played in a partially closed stadium after the Italian club were charged with racist behaviour by UEFA.
A section of Lazio fans made fascist salutes during the 2-1 Europa League victory over French club Rennes on October 3 at Stadio Olimpico.
Scottish champions Celtic host Lazio on October 24 and then head to the Italian capital for the return Group E match on November 7, when the partial closure will be enforced.
The decision will not affect Celtic’s allocation of 9,000, with the closure enforced in the home areas.
In a statement, UEFA also announced that Lazio will be required to display a banner containing the wording ‘#EqualGame’ and the UEFA logo in the closed section of the stadium.
They have also been fined 20,000 euros (£17,300) and ordered to play one additional UEFA competition match behind closed doors, with that sanction suspended for one year.
In response to the ruling, Lazio said: “The decisions constitute a heavy penalty that seems to have taken into account the clear condemnation expressed promptly by the Biancoceleste club against the hateful racist acts performed by a few irresponsible supporters.
“The sentence also confirms the firm will of SS Lazio to continue on the line of ‘zero tolerance’ established by the president Claudio Lotito.
“The company also reaffirms its intention to prosecute criminally and civilly those responsible for unacceptable events that cause not only serious damage to the image and heritage of SS Lazio but heavily penalise the overwhelming majority of a fan base that has always been foreign and contrary to the acts of a racist small minority.
“Lazio, however, on the basis of findings in the process of finding, reserves the right to appeal to the UEFA decisions to reduce penalties that are largely discharged on the most responsible and virtuous supporters.”
The ruling comes as UEFA investigates the racist abuse England players were subjected to in Bulgaria on Monday night.
European football’s governing body have charged the Bulgarian Football Union for racist behaviour of their fans after Monday night’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia was twice halted due to racist chanting from sections of the home crowd.
The BFU has also been cited for the throwing of objects and disruption of a national anthem, as well as showing replays on a giant screen, while the English Football Association has been charged with the disruption of a national anthem and providing an insufficient number of travelling stewards.
