More riot police for Lazio visit after Rome violence

BUCHAREST, Aug 17 (Reuters) Dinamo Bucharest called today for extra riot police for the return visit of Italy's Lazio in a Champions League qualifier after violence at the first leg in Rome this week.

Dinamo president Nicolae Badea told Reuters the club considered the third qualifying round second leg match on Aug. 28 ''a maximum risk'' after Tuesday's incidents at the Stadio Olimpico.

''We asked today for supplementary riot police to maintain order as a considerable number of Italian fans are expected to come to Romania,'' Badea said.

Before the match, which ended 1-1, five Romanian fans were stabbed outside the stadium. Racist chanting was also heard during the game.

Dinamo's Ghanaian defender George Blay said on Friday he had been offended by ''racist slogans'' from Lazio fans.

''I was shocked at the start of the match by local fans' verbal attacks against me,'' Blay told Reuters by telephone from the Dinamo training camp in Saftica.

''But I managed to put behind me what they were shouting because the match stress was so strong.

''I was offended several times in my life. It's not normal for people to be attacked because of the colour of their skin.'' Badea appealed for restraint after local Dinamo Bucharest fans' Web sites hosted calls for ''deserved revenge'' against Lazio supporters coming to Bucharest to support their team.

''We must do our best to prevent any tragic situation and (ensure) that Dinamo fans do not act in the some manner as Lazio fans did in Rome,'' he said.

More than 50,000 spectators are expected at the match at the Lia Manoliu stadium.

Dinamo fans are considered among the worst in Romania. Last season the team played several matches behind closed doors or in cities more than 150 km from Bucharest after violent clashes with police.

REUTERS BJR PM2036