On Tuesday, the Portuguese Football Federation protested against the racist abuse Cermiti was subjected to in a private game between Portugal and Italy under-20s, played on trans-Alpine soil.
In a statement, the FPF said that “the matter has been referred to the Italian federation” and that “it will report the situation to the competent UEFA disciplinary authorities.”
The body that oversees Portuguese football concluded by expressing “full solidarity with Cermiti” and stressing that “under no circumstances does it tolerate any kind of discriminatory behavior.”
Chermiti’s complaint
“I know that nothing will happen to the player who called me a monkey, but I just want to express here the disappointment that me and my teammates are feeling at the moment. Players and fans continue to say and do whatever they want during games and referees.” don’t do anything about it! It doesn’t matter what color, size or nationality we are, we just want to play football. Let’s say no to racism!” the striker wrote after the match, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Portugal.
Read the statement in full:
“Portuguese international Cermiti condemned the episode of racism in the game played by the national under-20 team in Italy on Tuesday.
The complaint was made by the player to the referee during the game.
At the end of the meeting, Cermiti informed those in charge at the FPF of what had happened, so the report to the game referee was immediately backed up.
The matter was also brought to the attention of the Italian Federation.
The FPF will report the situation to the competent UEFA disciplinary authorities.
The FPF rejects and condemns all situations of racism and expresses its full solidarity with Cermiti.
Under no circumstances will the FPF tolerate discriminatory behavior of any kind.”