About 60 fans of Italian football club Lazio were held overnight and banned from attending their UEFA Europa League match against Dynamo Kyiv in Hamburg, Germany. This action was taken by German police after weapons were seized from the supporters, including knives, meat pounders, wooden planks, and more. The fans attempted to evade a police escort near the city’s town hall and were stopped and searched by riot officers.
The fans spent the night in cells before being released the following day. Lazio went on to win the match against Dynamo Kyiv 3-0, which was relocated to Hamburg due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Lazio supporters have a history of causing trouble, with incidents such as performing fascist salutes and racist chants leading to sanctions against the club.
In March, an Italian fan was arrested for giving a Hitler salute before a Lazio match in Munich, and a year earlier, a fan wearing a Hitler-related shirt was banned for life from attending Lazio matches. The club itself has faced sanctions, including playing a Serie A game with part of the Olimpico stadium closed to spectators due to racist chants.
Despite these incidents, Lazio continues to attract a passionate and sometimes problematic fanbase. The club must address these issues to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all supporters.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
