Lecce's Umtiti leaves pitch in tears after racist abuse by Lazio fans

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti left the pitch in tears after being racially abused by Lazio fans in an Italian Serie A week 16 game on Wednesday.

Cameroon-born France international Umtiti and Zambian winger Lameck Banda were subjected to racial abuse from the away fans.

Umtiti, 29, left the pitch in tears along with a standing ovation from Lecce fans at the end of the game, which the home team won 2-1, according to the Italian press.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino voiced his support for the two players. "Solidarity with Samuel Umtiti and Lameck Banda - let’s shout it loud and clear: NO TO RACISM!," he wrote on Instagram.

Umtiti, who joined Lecce from Barcelona on loan in August 2022, has so far played six games for the Serie A side. He also bagged the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France.

Banda, 21, joined Lecce from Israeli club Maccabi Petah Tikva in August 2022 and he netted once in 16 appearances for the Italian club.