Serie A league leaders Juventus have been handed a 30,000 euro fine by the Italian FA for racist chants during their victory over Milan.
The reigning champions recorded a 1-0 victory over their rivals thanks to an Arturo Vidal goal, but the chants - apparently aimed partly at Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng - from some sections of the home crowd soured the victory.
The Italian FA have now acted quickly to punish the Turin side, with a statement on their website confirming: "A fine of 30,000 euros is issued to Juventus because fans, in the 26th minute of the first half, directed expressions of racial discrimination towards an opposition player.
"In the second minute of the second half there were insulting chants directed at an opposition player not deployed on the field.
"Finally, between the 38th and 41st minutes of the first half, a large banner was unfurled displaying outrageous content."
Juventus reacted to the news of the fine by issuing a statement on their official club website condemning the behaviour of certain sections of the crowd, and reiterated it was not a view representative of the club.
The statement read: "Juventus Football Club reminds its fans and the media that it is heavily involved in projects dedicated to integration and is against any form of racism or discrimination.
"In fact, the club works very closely with the UNESCO Centre in Turin and, with the support of UNESCO, has conducted its third edition of 'Un calcio al razzismo' (Kick Out Racism), and its first edition of 'Gioca con me' (Play with me). Both projects took place on Thursday 21 March in celebration of the 'International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination'.
"The club’s stance is reiterated before every home match. This commitment cannot therefore be up for debate simply because of the actions of single or groups of spectators which are highlighted by the intense media attention that football receives.
"Such behaviour does not represent the position of the club, its millions of fans or even the vast majority of spectators at Juventus Stadium, which is something unique in Italian football."
