Anti-racism campaigners have slammed a group of Lazio fans who marched through one of Glasgow’s busiest streets making fascist salutes.
Dozens of Lazio fans paraded down Buchanan Street ahead of their Europe League match against Celtic last night.
Shocking video footage show a group of the Rome-based side’s fans making the salutes as they passed horrified shoppers on the busy street at around 5pm, just hours before Celtic secured a 2-1 victory at Parkhead.
Leading anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card condemned harrowing footage of the actions posted online, after some posts accumulated over 650,000 views in just a few hours.
- READ MORE: Neil Lennon hails Fraser Forster after Celtic keeper secures famous Lazio win with "miracle" saves
“We stand with the rest of Glasgow in total condemnation of these salutes and the painful reminders of the past they bring,” said campaign manager Jordan Allison.
“A resurgence of hateful, populist rhetoric in recent times has allowed this behaviour to creep back into European society and now, the game of football.
“Today, as an education charity, as teachers, coaches and parents, we will be asked why these salutes exist today.
“How we as a society respond will determine the world views of the future generation. Anti-racist education is the key.”
Italian Special Operations officers were drafted in to the city ahead of tonight’s match to prevent violence, and around 100 Police Scotland officers escorted 700 Lazio fans as a group to Parkhead.
The away fans caused further outrage last night after a group of them lined up to go to the toilet against a fence in the East End’s Dalmarnock Drive.
A clip was shared on social media of residents reacting angrily to the Italian supporters for their behaviour.
Before the match, a section of fans in the Green Brigade displayed a banner which translated to “f*** Lazio”.
Celtic legend Chris Sutton hit out at the away fans, and said they should have been turned away at the gates.
Taking to Twitter, the BT Sport pundit wrote: “”Abhorrent...Shouldn’t be allowed inside Celtic Park...”
His sentiment was backed by ex-Arsenal player Kevin Campbell, who slammed those in the video.
He wrote on Twitter: “See when certain fans do things like this they should be turned around and sent home. Disgraceful.”
Lazio had pleaded with fans to behave in Glasgow ahead of the match, and issued a zero-tolerance approach to any racist abuse directed at opposing players.
- READ MORE: Celtic 2 Lazio 1: Comeback win stuns Italians on another special Euro night at Celtic Park
Uefa recently ordered them to close part of their stadium over supporters’ fascist gestures and racist chants.
They were hit by bosses after fan behaviour in the Curva Nord section of the Stadio Olimpico during their recent 2-1 over Rennes.
And Celtic chief Neil Lennon said he would encourage his players to leave the pitch if they were racially abused in the away match.
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