Uefa has begun disciplinary proceedings against Lazio for "improper conduct" by the club's supporters during Thursday's Europa League tie against Tottenham. The Control and Disciplinary Body will meet on 18 October to discuss the case.
Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend were reportedly subjected to monkey chants during the 0-0 draw .
European football's governing body charged the Rome club after receiving reports from Romanian referee Ovidiu Alin Hategan and delegate Adonis Procopiou of Cyprus.
A statement read: "UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Lazio for the improper conduct of the club's supporters (racist behaviour) during the UEFA Europa League group stage match on Thursday 20 September between Tottenham Hotspur FC and the Italian side." If Lazio's fans are found guilty of racial abuse the club will be fined £16,000 and might be forced to play one or more of their games behind closed doors.
In an extreme case, the club could be deducted points or disqualified from the Europa League.
Uefa president Michel Platini was at White Hart Lane, where Defoe and his fellow England international Lennon and second-half substitute Andros Townsend were allegedly subject to racist abuse.
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said he did not hear the chants but Piara Powar - executive director of anti-discrimination group Football Against Racism in Europe - said its members were in the crowd and heard monkey chanting.
Powar said: "Uefa normally operate a 'three strikes and you're out' policy, and I think Lazio are at first base in that respect, but if Uefa really want to send out a strong message, I think they can do so regardless of whether it's a first or second offence.
"I therefore think that Uefa could move directly to something like a match behind closed doors.
"They could suspend that punishment, perhaps, and then if something happens further down the line, then they can trigger that.
"This punishment is one way of waking the club and the fans up to some of the problems that they face."
source: BBC Sport
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