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Lazio fans were heavily criticised after displaying several offensive banners during their Champions League win over Celtic last night.
The Serie A side ran out 2-0 winners to seal passage to the knockout round and consign Celtic to their fourth defeat of the campaign. Intent on sticking it to the 3,000 or so Hoops supporters who travelled to Rome for the game, Lazio ultras flew banners containing insults about paedophilia and the potato famine – referencing Celtic's Irish roots.
One read: "Did the Fenian b*****ds take [a] shower today?". A second displayed the words: "The famine is over. Go home f***ing potato eaters," while a third simply said: "Celtic pedophile [sic] club."
READ MORE: Celtic and Lazio fans hurl flares at each other before Champions League showdown
READ MORE: Sky Sports forced to apologise as boos interrupt minute's silence at Celtic vs Aberdeen
Pictures of the banners, which were seen flying both before and during the game, quickly did the rounds on social media, with fans labelling them "shameful" and "disgusting". One X user wrote: "Really poor to see, this."
Another fumed: "Absolutely shameful, UEFA should look into this and punish them." A third said: "If this was directed at any other group there would be an outrage. Disgusting."
Should football fans be allowed to display offensive banners? Let us know in the comments section below.
Celtic fans have themselves been in hot water for flying inappropriate banners this season. Following the October 7 terror attack in Israel, in which Islamic militant group Hamas massacred over 1,200 people, flags were seen flying in the home section of Celtic park during a game against Kilmarnock which appeared to show support for Hamas' action, with one declaring "victory for the resistance".
They were also fined for displaying Palestinian flags during their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid earlier this month, which broke UEFA restrictions on political messages.
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Lazio, who are managed by former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, sealed a 2-0 win thanks to late quickfire double from Ciro Immobile, with goals coming in the 82nd and 85th minutes. The win sees them close the gap on group leaders Atletico Madrid to just one point heading into the final round of fixtures. Celtic, meanwhile, remain rock bottom with just one point from five matches so far.
- Champions League
- Celtic FC
- Serie A
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