Lazio have avoided serious sanctions for racial abuse directed at Brescia’s Mario Balotelli by their supporters after Lega Serie A confirmed the club have been handed a €20,000 fine.
Balotelli scored the opening goal in Sunday’s encounter, before Lazio went on to claim a 2-1 victory thanks to Ciro Immobile’s brace after Andrea Cistana had been sent off.
Shortly after Balotelli’s goal, a warning was read out over the stadium’s public address system after chants appeared to be targeting the Italy international.
Balotelli hit out at those responsible in an Instagram post that accompanied a clip of his goal, with the striker writing: “Lazio fans that were today [Sunday] at the stadium, SHAME ON YOU #saynotoracism.”
The league agrees the chants were of a discriminatory nature and have issued a punishment, though Lazio avoided harsher sanctions due to their assistance in the investigation.
This was not the first occasion Balotelli has been the target of abuse since returning to hometown club Brescia at the start of the season.
In November, the former Manchester City star kicked a ball into the stands and threatened to walk off the pitch after being subjected to monkey noises during a match against Hellas Verona.