Juan pities racist fans

Roma defender Juan says Lazio’s players were embarrassed by the racial abuse being directed towards him during Sunday’s Rome derby.

The Brazilian was subjected to monkey chants from Lazio fans throughout the second half of his side’s 2-1 defeat and admitted afterwards that the disgraceful behaviour of some of those standing on the Curva Nord had left him in a state of shock.

However, Juan insisted that he bears no ill will towards those who racially abused him – just pity.

“It’s terribly disappointing as I’ve been in Rome for 10 years and this has never happened to me before,” Juan told Sky Sport Italia.

“I felt sorry for them, but I have enough character to just shrug these things off and not let them affect me on the field.”

“I received hugs from the Roma and Lazio players after that incident, as they were also embarrassed by what was happening.”

“It is a particular shame as we all came on to the pitch before kick-off with anti-racism messages on our shirts.”

“In all my time at Roma, I have never shown disrespect for Lazio, so it was a surprise to be targeted like that.”

Juan, who has been capped 82 times by Brazil, joined Roma from Bayer Leverkusen in 2007.