Lazio supporters were warned over apparently racist chants directed at Bayer Leverkusen players during Tuesday night's Champions League playoff match in Rome but their club will face no further action from UEFA, European football's governing body has confirmed to ESPN FC.
Referee Jonas Eriksson threatened to abandon the first leg of the tie -- which Lazio won 1-0 -- following chants from the stands of the Stadio Olimpico directed against Leverkusen players. Eriksson ordered the stadium announcer to urge the Lazio supporters to stop their chants whenever Jonathan Tah, Wendell or Karim Bellarabi had possession of the ball.
"We say no to racism," the stadium announcer said.
A spokesperson for UEFA told ESPN FC on Wednesday morning that it would not be taking the matter further as no complaint was made.
"No racist incident has been reported either by the referee or by the match delegate, therefore no disciplinary proceedings have been opened," the spokesperson said. "The public announcement in the stadium was a proactive message from the Italian police."
Lazio sporting director Igli Tare insisted that the home fans' chanting was not racist, telling broadcaster ZDF after the match: "'Uuuh' is different to 'Buuuh.' Here, 'Buuuh' is racist, and you chant 'Uuuh' when you want to frighten and insult the opponent, but not in a racist kind of way. I want to make that clear."
Lazio have been punished for racist chants and abuse by UEFA on several occasions in the past. In early 2012, they played two Europa League matches behind closed doors, and, later that year, were fined following monkey chants against Tottenham players Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend during their away match at White Hart Lane.
The following year, they were ordered to play their Europa League match against Cyprus outfit Apollon Limassol behind closed doors because of "racist behaviour" and displaying of an "inappropriate banner" in a meeting with Legia Warsaw.