Lazio game suspended by ref after abhorrent racial abuse of Samuel Umtiti

JUSTIN LAWRENCE FROM DAILY STAR

Umtiti was so overwhelmed by the horrific chants that reports claim the French centre-back burst into tears. But he bravely returned to the pitch when action resumed shortly after to the resounding chants of his name being sung by Lecce’s fans.

The heartwarming moment was documented by Lecce on its Twitter account which wrote: “The racist cries were overwhelmed by those of encouragement. All the giallorosso people started shouting a single name, Samuel Umtiti.”

Umtiti’s bravery was also heralded by Lecce president, Saverio Sticchi Damiani who said: “When the referee interrupted the match, waiting for the announcer to call for an end to the racist cries, Umtiti asked that the match be resumed, because he wanted to respond on the field to the insults received.

“He reacted like a true champion.”