Inter Milan defender, Francesco Acerbi, has left Italy’s national team training camp following an allegation of racially abusing Napoli counterpart, Juan Jesus, during a Serie A match. The incident occurred during the second half of the game where Juan Jesus, who is Black, appeared visibly upset and approached the referee, claiming that Acerbi had used a racist slur.
In response to the allegation, Acerbi was called over by the referee after Juan Jesus pointed out the incident. Despite Acerbi denying the use of racist language, Italy coach Luciano Spalletti and the players decided to address the issue internally. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) released a statement stating that Acerbi’s account did not reflect any defamatory, denigrating, or racist intent on his part. However, to maintain peace within the national team and give Acerbi time to resolve the issue, he was excluded from the squad for the upcoming friendly matches in the United States.
After the match, Juan Jesus did not confirm the incident publicly and chose to keep the matter on the field. He mentioned that Acerbi had apologized and that they were able to move on from the situation. Despite the tensions during the game, both players embraced each other at the end, showing a gesture of sportsmanship. Juan Jesus emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts on the field without carrying them beyond the game.
At this point, Acerbi has not faced any disciplinary action from the referee, but there is a possibility that the FIGC might open an investigation into the matter. If found guilty of racial abuse, Acerbi could potentially face a ban of at least 10 matches as per the league’s regulations. It is crucial for the authorities to thoroughly investigate the allegations to uphold the principles of fair play and equality in football.
The incident involving Francesco Acerbi and Juan Jesus sheds light on the ongoing issue of racism in football. While both players have displayed maturity in handling the situation after the match, it is imperative for all individuals involved in the sport to demonstrate respect and tolerance towards each other. The footballing community must work together to eradicate racism and discrimination from the game to ensure a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.