Celtic fans are goaded with racist and sectarian banners by Lazio’s ultras during Champions League clash in Rome… before fireworks are fired into the away end as tempers flare

Celtic‘s trip to Rome was marred with racist and sectarian abuse from Lazio’s ultras – and the visiting fans were also targeted by flares thrown into the away end pre-match.

There has been a bitter feud between the two fan-bases for some time now – and Lazio’s most passionate ultras went on the offensive for Celtic’s visit on Tuesday night. 

Away fans were left appalled when a banner was unfurled inside the Stadio Olimpico prior to kick-off, which looked to mock Celtic’s Irish roots.  

‘The famine is over. Go home f****** potato eaters,’ the banner read.

There were a number of other offensive banners in the home end, which included some which had sectarian abuse printed onto them. 

Tempers flared when missiles were thrown between home and away fans before the match

Tempers frayed even further and violence escalated when home fans threw missiles into the away end before the match, which Lazio won 2-0, got underway.

Police and stewards were on the back foot when a firework was launched into the section where the Celtic fans were housed.  

The two sets of fans were only separated by a large gap of seats and a wire fence. 

Celtic’s fans quickly retaliated by firing a missile straight back towards home fans.

Lazio’s fans were left furious when, in the return game back at Celtic park, Celtic ultras group The Green Brigade taunted travelling Lazio fans. 

Prior to that match at Parkhead, The Green Brigade unveiled a huge banner which featured an image of former Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini.

There has been a long-running feud between the fanbases and Tuesday night was no different 

Stewards found themselves helpless as a sea of smoke was made by flares in the neutral zone

Celtic’s banned Green Brigade were in attendance and showed off a number of Palestine flags

Mussolini was upside down on the banner with the words ‘Follow Your Leader’.

The display was also accompanied by the words: ‘Anti Fascist Glasgow Celtic’.  

The Green Brigade were surprisingly spotted in the away end, clad with numerous Palestine flags.

After Celtic were fined more than £15,000 for the offensive Mussolini banner the last time these sides met, Celtic made the decision to ban The Green Brigade from attending home or away matches.

However it appears they have defied such ban as many members were seen in Rome supporting Celtic on Tuesday night. 

A late brace from Ciro Immobile gave Lazio a late victory but it was the nasty events pre-match which had everyone talking.