Lazio and Tottenham charged by Uefa in relation to racism marred match

Controversial Europa League match took place in November

Lazio have been charged over the alleged racist behaviour of their supporters during November's controversial Europa League draw against Tottenham.

Lazio supporters mocked Spurs' links with the Jewish community by chanting "Juden Tottenham" at the away fans during the 0-0 draw at the Stadio Olimpico on November 22.

UEFA also announced Tottenham have been charged over separate crowd disturbances at the Group J game.

A statement from UEFA read: "UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against S.S. Lazio. Charges relate to the alleged racist behaviour of Lazio supporters during the Italian club's 0-0 UEFA Europa League Group J draw against Tottenham Hotspur FC in Rome on 22 November 2012.

"Proceedings will also be instigated against S.S. Lazio for throwing of missiles and/or fireworks by their supporters, incidents of a non-sporting nature, late team arrival at the stadium, and late handling of the team sheet."

UEFA will hear both cases at a disciplinary meeting on January 24.

Spurs, the Football Association and Lazio all strongly condemned the fans who chanted the anti-Semitic songs during the game, which came 24 hours after a brutal knife attack on Tottenham fans in the Italian capital.

Pressure will now fall on UEFA to come down hard on Lazio should they find the Rome club guilty of racist chanting.

This is not the first time the Italian giants have been accused of racism this season.

In the reverse fixture at White Hart Lane back in October Lazio's fans were found guilty of monkey chanting towards three Tottenham players.

European football's governing body have come in for severe criticism for what have been seen as lenient punishments for offences involving racism.

UEFA have regularly handed out fines of between £16,000 and £40,000 for racist behaviour, yet they hit Nicklas Bendtner with a punishment of £80,000 for revealing a sponsor's name on his underpants during Euro 2012.

PA