Mario Balotelli has told Lazio supporters they should be ‘ashamed’ of their actions after the Brescia striker was the target of racial abuse during the two sides’ Serie A clash on Sunday.
Chanting from the away section at Stadio Mario Rigamonti on Sunday forced referee Gianluca Manganiello to bring play to a halt for several minutes, with the stadium announcer then warning fans over their behaviour. Brescia were a goal up at the time following Balotelli’s opener, but they eventually fell to a 2-1 defeat.
The 29-year-old had been the subject of abuse earlier in the match, while he was also targeted by Hellas Verona supporters in November, with the striker responding by kicking the ball into the stands, before walking off the pitch.
After the loss – which leaves Le Rondinelle third from bottom in Serie A – the forward took to Instagram to post a video of his goal, captioning the upload: “Lazio fans that were today at the stadium SHAME ON YOU.”
Balotelli continued to receive abuse from travelling supporters throughout the contest. Many of the chants were racially aggravated, though some were insults aimed at the Italian’s family.
An official statement on the Roman club’s website read: “As has always happened in the past, Lazio dissociates itself in the most exhaustive way possible from the discriminatory behaviour carried out by a very small minority of fans during the match against Brescia.
“The club reiterates once again the condemnation of similar unjustified behavior and confirms its intent to prosecute those who betray their sporting passion causing a serious injury to the image of the club and the team.”
Brescia owner Massimo Cellino is among those to have been criticised for their treatment of Balotelli this season after the former made racist remarks towards his own player following the incident at Verona in autumn.
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