A video shows a falconer stretching his right arm up in a fascist salute while fans shout “Duce, Duce”.
The Association of Jewish Communities in Italy (UCEI) responded indignantly to a video from the stadium of the football club Lazio Rome with fascist gestures and shouts. The photo shows a falconer with the club's mascot, an eagle, on his arm. He stretches his right arm up in a fascist salute, while fans shout “Duce, Duce” (Führer) – alluding to the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
Società e tifosi. Entrambe le parti andrebbero fatte sparire. pic.twitter.com/steTwehjTZ
– So Lillo (@ SoLillo1Scl) October 20, 2021
UCEI President Noemi Di Segni called on the club to take immediate action. The falconer's behavior leaves no room for interpretation. “Given the display of gestures and symbols related to fascist ideals, there is no ambiguity here and there can be no excuses,” explained Di Segni.
Falconer was suspended
Lazio then announced the suspension of the falconer. The man was filmed in “behavior that offends the club, the fans and the values that the community relies on”. The association also announced that the falconer is not a direct employee of Lazio, but is employed by an external service provider.
📝 Nota della Società
➡️ https://t.co/Ppfcmd3LsD pic.twitter.com/0T3Jznflng
– SSLazio (@OfficialSSLazio) October 20, 2021
The video spread rapidly on online networks. According to the sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport , the picture was taken during the game between Lazio Rome and Inter Milan last Saturday.
The reputation of Lazio has suffered for years from the fact that considerable parts of its fans have strongly right-wing attitudes. In the past, the club was therefore sanctioned several times by the European Football Union (UEFA).
