Hundreds of Lazio followers gathered within the notorious brewery the place Adolf Hitler based the Nazi celebration earlier than their match in opposition to Bayern Munich.
Supporters of the Italian membership travelled to Bavaria on Tuesday night time forward of their Champions League last-16 tie on the Allianz Arena. Mauricio Sarri’s facet had been hoping to construct on the 1-0 win they managed within the first leg on February 14 in Rome.
But a bit of Lazio followers took a detour earlier than the sport, gathering on the Hofbräuhaus brewery, which in February 24, 1920 was utilized by Hitler to provide a speech founding the National Socialist German Workers’ Party – a right-wing group which seized energy, triggered World War 2 and murdered thousands and thousands of minorities.
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Viral movies emerged on social media forward of kick-off showing to point out Lazio supporters chanting and gesturing in animated trend contained in the easily-identifiable venue. Several of them might be seen performing salutes related to Hitler, the Nazis and former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.
A spokesman for the Hofbraeuhaus advised AFP the venue was unaware of the incident, however stated “if any anti-constitutional or xenophobic behaviour has occurred, we condemn it in the strongest possible terms”.
(Image: @thecasualultra)
(Image: @thecasualultra)
Meanwhile, the Italian capital’s sports activities minister Alessandro Onorato stated in a press release concerning the pictures which circulated social media: “Shameful, they damage the image of the club, of all the supporters and of Rome.”
Lazio’s ultras, often known as the Irriducibili, have been penalised for far-right gestures and chanting up to now. Lazio icon Paolo Di Canio was banned for one match and fined for making a Roman salute again in 2005 whereas celebrating.
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: ullstein bild through Getty Images)
Two sectors of Lazio’s Stadio Olimpico had been additionally closed for January’s match in opposition to Napoli after followers made fascist salutes and aimed racist slurs at Roma striker Romelu Lukaku.
A win or a draw for Lazio on Tuesday night time means they might attain the Champions League quarter-final stage for the primary time for the reason that 1999/2000 season.