ROME, Feb 1: Lazio's Cioat striker Alen Boksic said on Monday he was shocked by a banner paying tribute to assassinated Serb warlord Arkan that was held aloft by fans at Sunday's Serie A game against Bari, reports Reuters.

"I'm feeling bad. really bad," Boksic said. "I am angry and disillusioned, especially since it was written by my fans."

Laxio fans unfurled a banner declaring "honour to the tiger Arkan's during Lazio's 3-1 win in Rome's Olympic stadium. Fans also displayed a portrait of Italy's wartime fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

Boksic did not play on Sunday because of an injury, but said he would have walked off the pitch if he had been part of the squad.

"I would have taken my shirt off and left the Olympic stadium." Boksic said.

Arkan was the "nom de guerre" of Zeljko Raznat vic. the former Serbian paramilitary leader, indicted for war crimes committed during fighting in Bosnia and Croatia in the 1990s. He was shot dead in a Belgrade hotel earlier this month.

Celtic crosses and swastikas have been regularly displayed at Lazio matches in recent months.

Rome Mayo* Francesco RutelU. a former Green now a member of the centre-left Democrats party, said the behaviour of the fans had now become an issue for the police.

But Alessandra Mussolini, a member of parliament and the dictator's granddaughter, said she stood right behind the Lazio fans.

"I’m a Lazi fan too." she said. "Did they want to compare Arkan with my grandfather? I don't think so. Anyway, it doesn't bother me. On the contrary, I'm very pleased." Mussolini said. ’

Inciting racism and displays of support for fascism are out-lawea In Italy.

On Friday. AS Roma President Franco Sensl called for games at Rome's Olympic stadium to be halted whenever fascist symbols were displayed. But Rutelli said such a move would play into the hands of the extremists.

The Interventions need to be before and after (the game) — suspending the match would draw attention to the issue and that Is exactly what they want." Rutelli said.