Interlian defender Francesco Acerbi has reportedly left Italy’s national team training camp following allegations of racial abuse towards Juan Jesus, his Napoli counterpart, during a Serie A match on Sunday.
In the second half of the game, Juan Jesus, who is black, approached the referee visibly upset and indicated that Acerbi had used a racist slur.
Notably, Juan Jesus pointed to his shirt sleeve, which displayed a “Keep Racism Out” badge as part of the league’s anti-racism campaign.
Acerbi initially joined the Italy squad in Rome before their departure to the United States for friendly matches against Venezuela and Ecuador.
However, the 36-year-old has now been replaced by Gianluca Mancini, a defender from Roma. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) stated that Acerbi adhered to Azzurri’s internal policy by discussing his account of the alleged racist expression with Italy coach Luciano Spalletti and the players.
“From the Inter defender’s account, pending that what happened is reconstructed with full respect to the autonomy of the sporting justice system, it emerged that there was no defamatory, denigrating or racist intent on his part,” the FIGC said.
“It was nevertheless agreed to leave Acerbi out of the squad for the next two friendly matches in the United States, to guarantee the necessary serenity to the national team and to the player himself, who will return to his club today.”
Acerbi has denied using racist language towards Jesus.
“I did not say any racist phrases. I have been playing football for 20 years and I know what I say,” Acerbi told Italian journalists when he returned from the camp.
“Many things happen on the pitch … but when the referee blows his whistle, you shake hands, and it all goes back to how it was before.
“There must be no racism anywhere in the world. I’m sorry I had to leave the national team training camp, but that’s how it was and it’s right.”
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Juan Jesus would not confirm afterwards what happened.
“What happens on the field, stays on the field,” the Brazilian told DAZN. “Acerbi apologised, he went a bit over the top with his words. He is a good guy.
“Moreover, obviously we’re adults, we can sort it out on the field. He apologised, we moved on and when the referee blows his whistle everything ends there. It’s fine.”
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said Acerbi has explained his version of events to Italy coach Luciano Spalletti and his team-mates and it has been agreed he will take no part in games against Venezuela and Ecuador.
A statement on the FIGC website read: ‘Francesco Acerbi, who arrived at the national team camp in Rome this morning, explained to head coach, Luciano Spalletti, and his team-mates his version of the alleged racist expression reported by Juan Jesus during Inter vs Napoli last night, as required by the internal policy of Club Italia.
‘From the Nerazzurri defender’s report, in waiting for what happened to be reconstructed in compliance with the autonomy of sporting justice, it emerged that there was no defamatory, denigrating or racist intent on his part.
‘However, it was agreed that Acerbi should be left out of the squad for the next two friendlies scheduled in the United States to let things settle for the national team and the player himself, who will return to his club today.
‘As a result, Roma defender Gianluca Mancini, who was already on a reserved squad list, has been called up.’
An Inter statement added: ‘FC Internazionale Milano takes note of the official statement released by the FIGC to the events involving Francesco Acerbi during last night’s match against Napoli, and of the fact that FIGC and Acerbi have agreed that the player will not be involved in the national team’s next two friendlies scheduled in the United States.
‘FC Internazionale Milano will meet with the player as soon as possible to shed light on the exact details of what happened last night.’
