Verona hit with fine and partial stadium closure

Verona have been fined €50,000 and made to close the Curva Sud area of their ground for one game for racist abuse of Milan’s Sulley Muntari.

Around 3,000 home fans at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi were found guilty of “expressive behaviour of discrimination on grounds of race” towards Milan midfielder Muntari in Verona’s 3-1 Serie A defeat to Filippo Inzaghi’s men last Sunday.

In addition to sanctions for the supporters’ treatment of Muntari, Verona have also received a €3,000 fine for insults aimed at referee Paolo Valeri in the second half.

Another club to be punished for discriminatory chants are Inter, who have been hit with a €30,000 fine for the behaviour of their supporters at San Siro during the 2-2 draw with Napoli on Sunday.

The disciplinary report from Serie A states that members of the home crowd chanted “a song which is insulting for reasons of territorial origin” in the second and 47th minute.

Supporters were also said to have shone a laser pen at referee Daniele Orsato and Napoli goalkeeper Rafael.