Lazio have released a media statement in defence of fans after UEFA expressed concerns over their behaviour in this week's Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Bucharest.

UEFA are also set to launch an inquiry into reported racist taunts within the ground and have the power to expel Lazio from European competition in accordance with their zero tolerance policy.

However, a Lazio statement was released yesterday: "Lazio wait with confidence for UEFA to gather all the information they need regarding events during the game against Dinamo Bucharest on August 14.

"The club does not take responsibility for events outside the Stadio Olimpico and hopes that the aggressors will be identified.

"There has been reference to racist episodes within the ground, but Lazio want to remind everyone that one isolated group's chants were immediately shouted down by the majority of the fans.

"Lazio regret that certain organisations have chosen to give such attention to a peripheral incident in order to portray the club in a bad light."