The only place in Europe where racism isn't overt is in the U.K., Benelux and Scandinavia. There it is a function of manners, not any enlightened sense of community. They judge people by the color of their skin just as much as your average tracksuited Russian oligarch. They just don't express it.
As for this specific incident, it needs to be put into context. Lazio is traditionally a club followed by lower class fans who live in the northern part of Rome and the surrounding countryside. They are notorious racists. Throwing bananas on the field and make ape sounds when a black player for the other team touched the ball were common until just a year or two ago. Visiting black fans have been killed outside the stadium in the last decade. They've been trying hard to clean up the image, this guy's remarks sets them back years. I'm sure the club is livid. It wouldn't surprise me to learn the player wants out of the club so he said it intentionally.
