Lazio will have to play their next two Serie A fixtures with part of the Stadio Olimpico closed following incidents of racist chanting in their 2-0 defeat to Napoli on Wednesday.
That fixture was halted for three minutes and 40 seconds in the second half by referee Massimiliano Irrati, who wanted an end to be brought to the chanting from home fans in the direction of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly. The game proceeded without any further interruption, although some of the chanting continued, according to Irrati in his report of the game.
Lega Serie A has now responded by closing the Curva Sud, the northern parts of the Distinti Tevere and Distinti Monte Mario stands for Lazio's games against Hellas Verona and Sassuolo.
The Rome club have also been fined €50,000 for the "unequivocally racist chants" aimed at Koulibaly "each time he touched the ball," according to a disciplinary statement.
Koulibaly, who was branded an "intelligent, level-headed person" by Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri, thanked Irrati for holding up play in a post on Instagram.
A photo posted by Kalidou Koulibaly (@kkoulibaly26) on
"It was an important win! But tonight I would like to thank everybody for all the messages of solidarity I have received," the defender wrote.
"I would also like to thank the Lazio players, but above all referee Irrati for his courage. I'd like to thank my teammates, the club and our fans, who have shown great support against these ugly chants! We move on, and Forza Napoli always!"