Soccer: Juventus stand closed for anti-Napoli chants
(ANSA) – Rome, October 28 – Juventus on Monday had its home fans’ stand closed for anti-Napoli chants during Sunday’s 2-0 win against Genoa Sunday but the penalty was suspended under new rules that lay down lighter sanctions for ‘regional discrimination’ than those for racist chants.
Since it was the first offence under the new regime, the closure has been suspended for a year and will only kick in if the Juve supporters do it again before that time has elapsed.
The rules were changed after a few northern clubs had stands closed because fans directed scornful chants against southern opposition, mainly Napoli.
Southern fans regularly return the insults, which are based on derogatory regional stereotypes.