Lazio confirm that Loum Tchaouna was subjected to racist abuse during their Europa League win away to FC Twente and that he was substituted because ‘he was not in the right mindset’ to continue.
Moments after the second goal was scored by Gustav Isaksen, adding to the earlier Pedro effort, Lazio were preparing to make a substitution to bring Pedro off for defender Gil Patric.
However, coach Marco Baroni became aware that Tchaouna was in distress, arguing with some of the Twente players and pointing to the stands behind the benches.
epa11681125 Players of Lazio celebrate the 0-1 goal during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between FC Twente and SS Lazio, in Enschede, the Netherlands, 24 October 2024. EPA-EFE/TOBIAS KLEUVER
When the tension started to rise, Baroni decided to change his substitution at the last moment and instead take Tchaouna off for Patric.
As he walked off, the former Salernitana midfielder told the members of the Biancocelesti staff that there had been monkey noises aimed at him.
“The fourth official recognised the situation, I was about to replace Pedro, but I saw Tchaouna was not in the right mindset to remain on the pitch and allowed me to change the substitution.”
It remains to be seen if UEFA will take action against FC Twente or if these chants were also heard by the fourth official.
