Zambia star suffers racist abuse against Lazio

Zambian footballer Lameck Banda and France international Samuel Umtiti were subject to explicit racist abuse from Lazio fans in the away end during Lecce’s Wednesday night victory.

Abuse towards the pair became so clear that the referee stopped play in the second half.

Lecce emerged victorious and their fans rallied behind the pair, with the home support chanting Umtiti’s name in particular as he was subject to a torrent of abuse.

“The racist chants were submerged by those of encouragement! All the yellow and red Lecce fans started shouting one name: Umtiti,” the club tweeted after the game.

The football world has come out in support of the pair in the days since the event.

Via Instagram, FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino posted “solidarity with Samuel Umtiti and Lameck Banda – let’s shout it loud and clear. NO TO RACISM!”

He called for the majority of fans to stand up and shout down the racists once and for all.

The match was suspended for several minutes as the stadium announcer pleaded with the Lazio fans. Lecce’s president has praised Umtiti for responding “like a true champion” by calling for the game’s resumption in order to respond on the pitch.

Lazio has long had trouble with racist chants and the club is historically associated with the country’s far-right political groups.

Lazio has condemned the “despicable, shameful” racist abuse.

Umtiti later posted a simple message on his social media accounts: “only football, fun, joy. The rest doesn’t count.”