Juventus will have to play a home game behind closed doors after fans racially abused Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli in Saturday's 1-1 Serie A draw.

"The sporting judge ... considered that in the course of the game and on multiple occasions, fans of the home team, in various sections of the stadium, sang songs which included racial discrimination," an Italian league statement said.

"Juventus are therefore obliged to play one game behind closed doors." The statement, in conjunction with the Italian football federation, added that the abuse was deplorable and could not be excused as sporting passion.

(Shanghai Daily via Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2009)