Central defender Francesco Acerbi left the Italian football team this Monday to be replaced by Gianluca Mancini, following alleged racist abuse in Sunday’s match between Inter Milan and Naples.
The defender arrived at the Azzurri team’s training center in the morning and had the opportunity to explain himself to coach Luciano Spalletti, but the federation decided to release Acerbi.
“From the report of the Inter defender” […]It is clear that there were no slanderous, derogatory or racist intentions on his part,” said this Monday the Italian Federation (FIGC), which, despite this, decided to exclude the player from the squad.
The incident occurred on Sunday night during a 1-1 draw between Inter Milan and Naples in the Italian league, in which Acerbi allegedly insulted Juan Jesus, with the Neapolitan player complaining to the referee and pointing to a “Don’t tolerate racism” sign.
In a statement also this Monday, the Serie A leader said that he would hold a meeting with his player “as soon as possible” to clarify what happened in the episode with Juan Jesus.
Shortly after the game, the Brazilian defender who scored Napoli’s equalizer said that the incident remained on the pitch and that Acerbi was a good boy, but he had exaggerated his words and hoped he would not do it again.
In a video that went viral on social media, Juan Jesus said: “I don’t like it, he called me black and I don’t like it,” addressing the referee.
At the end of the match, the Brazilian equalizer himself downplayed the incident, saying Acerbi had apologized to him for “going too far”, which the Italian denied, believing he had “misunderstood again”. .
“There’s a lot going on on the field, that’s normal. We play football, we say something, but in the end we greet each other and everything goes back to normal,” Acerbi said.
The Italian team will play two friendlies in the coming days: Thursday against Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Sunday against Ecuador in Harrison, New Jersey, both in the United States.
“He misunderstood”: Player denies insults
The footballer Francesco Acerbi of Inter this Monday denied accusations of racist abuse against the Brazilian Juan Jesus of Naples, which cost him his withdrawal from the Italian national team, which will play friendly matches with Venezuela and Ecuador.
“Racist phrases have never come out of my mouth. That’s the only thing I can say. I know I never said racist things. I’ve been playing football for 20 years and I know what I’m talking about. calmness,” the athlete assured.
The incident in question was an incident that took place on Sunday evening during a 1-1 draw between Inter and Naples in the Italian league, in which Acerbi allegedly insulted Juan Jesus, who in the 59th minute made a clear complaint to the referee, pointing out ball. “Don’t tolerate racism” icon.
“He misunderstood. It pains me to leave the team,” commented Acerbi.
Meanwhile, while Napoli defended their athlete, Inter expressed their intention to hear their player’s version “as soon as possible”, who said his priority was to talk to his daughter.
Following Acerbi’s departure, the task force has been expanded to include Gianluca Mancini, Roma’s center back, for games against Venezuela on Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Ecuador on Sunday in New York.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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