CELTIC manager Neil Lennon has revealed he would want his players to walk off the pitch if they were on the receiving end of racist abuse from supporters.
Lennon feels that while fines are handed out for such offences, he does not think these act as an effective deterrant.
The Northern Irishman was speaking ahead of next week's Europa League fixture with Lazio, who were recently sanctioned by UEFA after a section of their support were found guilty of making fascist salutes in their previous European fixture against Rennes.
The Celtic boss added that he would support his players if any decided to walk off the pitch because of such an incident.
He said: "I would not discourage any player from walking off the pitch if he's getting racially abused. I think I would encourage it because it's pointing out that there is a wrong here.
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“We all have to do a little bit more to prevent it and for individuals it's personal and it's very, very hurtful.
"I don't think [stadium bans and fines] are working because it's not going away. It's awful, it's just rearing its ugly head again. It's embarrassing for the individual countries and the individual associations and the people who run those associations as well.
"I mean, the scenes in Bulgaria looked like it was all premeditated as well with the way they were dressed and behaving. How these guys get in to the stadium in the first place, that needs to be looked at."
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