LAZIO fans have accused UEFA of deliberately handing Celtic a massive advantage for their Europa League tie in Rome after closing their Ultras section.

Celtic have been handed an allocation of 9,000 fans for the game next month, with plenty more expected too and were relieved this week when European football's governing body only ordered a partial closure of the Stadio Olimpico for the tie after Lazio were punished for 30 of their fans making fascist salutes. They were also fined £17,300.

But Lazio's Voice of the North fans group were outraged at the punishment because it means the section where their most fanatical supporters gather - at the Curva Nord - will be closed for the match.

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Their spokesman Yuri Alviti said: "It's a farcical sentence because UEFA punish the weakest teams in these situations. Our club just accept this and once again, Lazio fans are paying the consequences.

"Against Celtic, they will have 10,000 fans in our stadium. Our players need the contribution of the Curva Nord. So UEFA have given Celtic a massive advantage.

"We are amazed at this punishment.

"But we see no point of further challenging this and inviting further punishment and we have decided there are other ways we can make our voices heard.

"So for our games against Atalanta and when we play Celtic in Rome, we invite every single Lazio fan to wear a scarf and wave a flag.

"Colouring the Stadio Olimpico in Lazio colours will be our response."