FC Twente must close part of stadium for Europa League match after racism investigation

FC Twente has been handed a severe punishment by the UEFA for racist and discriminatory comments during their match in the UEFA Europa League against SS Lazio. Footage showed Lazio winger Loum Tchaouna complaining to the team's bench about the racism after he was substituted in the match.

The club from Enschede will have to close a part of its stadium for fans in its next home match in the competition against the Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise on November 28. The club was also issued a fine of 83,125 euros for the mishap during the Lazio match, which included people in the crowd throwing drinking cups onto the field and unfurling an offensive banner.

"According to UEFA, it has been established that supporters treated a Lazio player in a racist and discriminatory manner during the 0-2 loss. Unfortunately, internal research confirms this. It is sad that this happened in our stadium. This behavior is unacceptable, unworthy of FC Twente, and deeply affects us all," said general manager Dominique Scholten on the club’s website.

"The impact this has on the well-meaning supporters, players, and staff is great. We are doing everything we can to track down the perpetrators, punish them, and recover the fine from them. There is no place in our stadium for people who display this behavior."

Specific information about which stands the punishment will apply to will follow from UEFA, the club stated. It has been confirmed that a part of their fanatical supporter section, Vak-P, will be closed during the match.