UEFA clowns once again bottled the battle against racism yesterday by fining Italian giants Lazio just £32,500 for their fans’ sickening abuse of Tottenham’s black stars.
The paltry fine came just 24 hours after the 17 white officials who run Europe’s governing body were urged to take “the strongest possible action” against the racist Serbian thugs who abused England’s Under-21 stars.
UEFA had the chance to flex their muscles after Lazio yobs yelled monkey chants at Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend during last month’s Europa League clash at White Hart Lane.
But the pittance of a punishment for Lazio is the latest in a long line of UEFA slap-on-the-wrist fines for acts of racism.
Five years ago, the Serbian FA were fined just £16,000 when their fans racially abused Nedum Onuoha in the Euro 2007 Under-21 finals in Holland.
Last year, UEFA ordered the Bulgarian FA to pay a measly £32,000 after their fans racially abused Manchester United striker Ashley Young.
And Porto had to cough up just £16,700 for chants aimed at Manchester City’s black players Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure.
Spurs defender Danny Rose was subjected to vile racist abuse on Tuesday, while Serbian yobs also hurled missiles at Stuart Pearce’s players during their explosive 1-0 Euro 2013 play-off victory.
Furious FA general secretary Alex Horne stormed: “We call on UEFA to take the strongest action against the Serbian FA, their supporters and anyone found guilty of being involved in the numerous instances of violence and abuse.”
By JAKE RYAN
