MILAN (AFP) - Juventus have been ordered by Serie A officials to play their next two home games without fans in some sections of the stadium as punishment for "discriminatory behaviour aimed at the city and people of Naples".

The sanction was announced on Monday, a day after the Italian champions' 3-0 home win over Napoli.

A number of minor incidents occurred between supporters before and during the top of the table clash in Turin and were largely kept under control by stadium stewards.

However, the Curva Nord, or North End, of Juventus stadium - where the club's hardline 'ultra' fans usually congregate - taunted Napoli's small visiting support several times before and during the match.

Fans unfurled a large painted banner depicting Mount Vesuvius, the volcanic mountain which overlooks the bay of Naples, complete with a hole under which smoke was emerging, thanks to a lit smoke bomb.

Simultaneously, a banner which ran almost the entire length of the Curva Nord and on which fans had written insults about the people of Naples, was unfurled.

The north-south divide remains prevalent in Italian society and the country's football stadiums and before and during the match Juventus fans chanted the derogatory songs.

Serie A disciplinary officials released a statement late on Monday citing those songs as the reason for the sanctions.

"Disciplinary officials consider this behaviour to be unequivocally discriminatory in nature," said a statement by Serie A league officials.

It added that Juventus Stadium's Curva Nord will be closed to fans for one game, while the Curva Sud has been shut for two matches.

Juve, who now trail Roma by one point, next play at home when they host Udinese on Dec 1. Antonio Conte's side then host newly-promoted Sassuolo two weeks later.