January 5 (Reuters) – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has urged followers to “shut up all racists” after Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti and teammate Lameck Banda had been racially abused throughout their sport towards Lazio on Wednesday.

The Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the match was paused for a couple of minutes whereas an announcement was made calling for the chants to be stopped within the stadium.

Dwelling followers chanted Umtiti’s title to quell the harassment, and Lecce President Saverio Sticchi Damiani stated the French World Cup winner, on mortgage from Barcelona, ​​wished the match to proceed.

Lecce got here from behind and received the Serie A match 2-1, whereas Frenchman Umtiti left the sphere in tears.

“Chores of encouragement for our champion stifled racial slurs,” Lecce stated in an announcement.

Umtiti posted a message on Instagram saying “Solely soccer, enjoyable, pleasure. The remaining would not matter.”

Infantino confirmed his help for Umtiti and Zambia Banda with a social media publish.

“Solidarity with Samuel Umtiti and Lameck Banda – let’s shout loudly and clearly: No to racism,” he wrote on the images of Umtiti and Banda.

“Could the overwhelming majority of followers who’re good individuals stand as much as silence all racists as soon as and for all.”

Reported by Rohith Nair from Bengaluru; Edited by Peter Rutherford

Our requirements: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.