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Possible conviction Lazio star faces criminal charges for racist episode
Updated: Sunday December 24, 2000 10:17 AM ROME (AP) -- Lazio star defender Sinisa Mihajlovic is being investigated for possibly violating a criminal anti-racism law for his taunting of Arsenal's Patrick Vieira. The 31-year-old Yugoslav, who publicly apologized for using the word "black" in a curse against the Arsenal midfielder in October, could face a three-year prison sentence if convicted, Corriere della Sera reported Friday. The Milan-based daily said investigators will use Mihajlovic's own post-game admission that he insulted Vieira to file charges that he violated a 1993 law that criminalizes the "spreading ... of ideas based on racial or ethnic superiority or hate." In a written statement, Lazio, a Rome team, said invoking the anti-racism law was "completely inopportune and totally groundless, both in relation to the moral qualities of the player and to his loyalty and correctness amply demonstrated by his public clarification before the public at Olimpico stadium ...." Vieira, a member of France's national team, said after the Oct. 17 Champions League 1-1 draw that it was the worst racial abuse he had ever experienced on a soccer pitch. UEFA, European soccer's governing body, suspended Mihajlovic for two games following the Arsenal match, where he also shoved Vieira. Though he initially defended his actions as a response to Vieira's taunts and a normal part of on-field competition, Mihajlovic later apologized in front of his home crowd at Olimpico stadium. Lazio dismissed the cursing incident as one "of the many verbal clashes that happen on the field in the course of sport matches characterized by lively competitive spirit and by emotional tension that is intense and without any voluntary character." The Yugoslav national team star is also reportedly being investigated for charges that he asked Lazio fans to display a banner last January that read "Honor Arkan the Tiger" following the death of the Serbian paramilitary leader accused of ethnic cleansing. Lazio, the defending Italian league champion, has become notorious around Europe for its fans' booing of black opponents. Earlier this week, Vieira - who had a stint with AC Milan - lashed out at racism in Italy in a German magazine interview, vowing never to play in Serie A again.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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