Lecce got a fantastic Serie A win over Lazio despite going a goal behind, but the night was still spoiled by hordes of travelling fans at the Via del Mare stadium. Lecce’s French defender Samuel Umtiti couldn’t hide his desperation after being subjected to the vilest of racist insults from the Lazio “fans”.Barrilete cósmico… ¿de qué planeta viniste? #Umtiti ♥️ #LecceLazio pic.twitter.com/f9ONmLOrOw— Michele Tossani (@MicheleTossani) January 4, 2023 After years of struggling with injuries at Barcelona, Umtiti is finally enjoying football again. But a group of uneducated idiots spoiled what should have been a night of triumph for the 2018 World Cup winner.The travelling hordes also insulted Lameck Banda, another black player in the ranks of Lecce.##NAJAVA_MECA_6923303##At the end of the match, TV cameras focused on the yellow and red defender, visibly exhausted, collapsed under the weight of the tension and the ovations received from the home fans at Via del Mare. Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani held him close, proud of his attitude. “I hugged Samuel, as I do with all his teammates. After each match, I want to greet the boys and the staff regardless of the result. When the referee stopped the game, waiting for the announcer to call for an end to the racist chants, Umtiti asked for the game to resume. He wanted to respond to the insults on the pitch. He reacted like a true champion.”Umtiti umtiti❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/oEbKJqGakM— جونينهو (@umtitisam11) January 4, 2023 Lecce fans showed how to fight against hatred – with love. Their adulation for Umtiti proved stronger than the hate. They chanted his name and drowned out the ugly noises from the away sector. It’s a nice win for Lecce – on the pitch and in the stands. But the question remains: who will make the racists stop the madness?
