Lazio winger Loum Tchaouna was substituted off after being subjected to alleged “monkey noises” against Twente in the Europa League, the Italian club’s head coach Marco Baroni has said.
The 21-year-old Tchaouna was substituted in the 89th minute of Lazio’s two-goal victory at Twente, with Baroni saying that he was “not in the right mindset” to continue after hearing the reported racist chant.
Lazio were originally planning to take off Pedro for Mario Gila in the closing stages of the match, but Baroni said he instead withdrew the France Under-21 international after he became “obviously upset” after the incident.
🤜🏻🤛🏿@LoumTchaouna #TwenteLazio#UEL#CMonEagles 🦅 pic.twitter.com/JlKC62Woek
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) October 24, 2024
“I think he heard some monkey noises and was obviously upset. I tried to reassure him,” Baroni told Sky Sports Italia.
“The fourth official recognised the situation, I was about to replace Pedro, but I saw Tchaouna was not in the right mindset to remain on the pitch and allowed me to change the substitution.”
The Athletic has contacted UEFA for comment.
Earlier this month, UEFA fined Lazio €45,000 (£36,660) and mandated the partial closure of Stadio Olimpico (sectors 48 and 49 of the Curva Nord) for one home match in UEFA competitions. This action follows charges of “racist and/or discriminatory behaviour” during Lazio’s 4-1 victory over Nice in the Europa League on October 3.
The partial stadium closure was suspended for a probationary period of one year.
Lazio are next in action with a home Serie A clash against Genoa on Sunday.
(ANP via Getty Images)
