Discriminatory Chants Prompt Suspension of Roma vs. Napoli Game

Discriminatory chants prompted Serie A's fixture between Roma and Napoli to be briefly suspended on Saturday.

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Discriminatory chants prompted Serie A's fixture between Roma and Napoli to be briefly suspended on Saturday.

Referee Gianluca Rocchi made the decision in the second half after Roma fans aimed anti-territorial chants - which are treated in the same manner as racist chants - at Napoli. The game resumed after a few minutes.

An Associated Press photographer next to the pitch also heard sporadic racist chants aimed at Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who is black.

Rocchi had already ordered an announcement to be made over the Stadio Olimpico's public address system asking fans to stop the chants.

During the suspension, Rocchi gathered teams in the center circle, then Roma forward Edin Dzeko encouraged fans to applaud rather than jeer the opposition.

Roma led 2-0 at the time of the suspension before going on to win 2-1.

Italy's top tier has been marred by several incidents of fan racism this season.