UEFA to investigate Lazio chants

UEFA has confirmed it has opened proceedings against Lazio for "improper conduct of the club's supporters" during Thursday's Europa League match against Tottenham.

Loud monkey-chanting was heard to come from the away end at White Hart Lane on several occasions directed against Spurs trio Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend.

Tottenham operate a strict zero tolerance policy when it comes to racism and manager Andre Villas-Boas said after the game he would expect UEFA to take action if Lazio fans are found to have racially abused his players.

The anti-racism group FARE also posted a link on their Twitter feed giving Spurs fans the chance to report any chants they heard from the away end and UEFA has fined clubs in the past for racist incidents.

Now UEFA has confirmed it is to investigate the incident, saying in a statement: "UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against S.S. Lazio for the improper conduct of the club's supporters (racist behaviour) during the UEFA Europa League group stage match on Thursday 20 September between Tottenham Hotspur FC and the Italian side."

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body will hear the case on 18th October.