Uefa suspending the suspense for a week

Uefa partially closing a 70,000-seat stadium for racist behaviour to punish Lazio, who attracted 13,072 to their previous Europa League game, has to be the least punitive action in history.  No one will be excluded from attending next week’s Lazio-Celtic game and gate receipts will not be affected.

Instead, Uefa imposed a suspended stadium closure on Lazio, which will kick in if a similar offence occurs within 12 months.  There is a possibility of this suspension becoming an active ground closure, if the match observer records racist behaviour from Lazio fans at Celtic Park next week.

Lazio will not bring many fans to Glasgow next week, so you would think they could refrain for a night.  We’ll see.