Lazio have blasted the “heavy penalty” enforced by UEFA after they were punished for fans’ fascist salutes during their game against Rennes.

The Serie A giants revealed their disappointment at the punishment in a club statement released this evening.

Accepting that a small section of supporters had crossed the line with “hateful, racist acts”, the Italian club did accept the sanction.

And they told how they will prosecute those fans involved.

The statement read: “The decisions of the 'Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body' of UEFA with reference to the behavior of some supporters during the meeting between S.S. Lazio and Stade Rennais F.C. they constitute a heavy penalisation that seems to have taken into account the clear condemnation expressed promptly by the biancoceleste society against the hateful racist acts carried out by a few irresponsible.

“The sentence, at the same time, confirms the firm will of the S.S. Lazio to continue on the line of "zero tolerance" established by the President Claudio Lotito.

“The company also reaffirms its intention to prosecute criminally and civilly those responsible for unacceptable events that cause not only serious damage to the image and heritage of Lazio but heavily penalise the overwhelming majority of a fan base that has always been foreign and contrary to excess racists of a small minority.

“The S.S. Lazio, however, on the basis of findings in the process of finding, reserves the right to appeal to UEFA decisions to reduce penalties that are largely discharged on the most responsible and virtuous supporters.”

The punishment - which has not yet become public knowledge - will have Celtic fans worried about their own clash with Lazio.

Around 9,000 tickets had been made available to Hoops fans for the November matchday.

However it now looks like the game will be played behind closed doors - surely leaving thousands of Celts furious.

More follows.