Francesco Acerbi, a prominent figure in Inter Milan’s defensive lineup, faces expulsion from Italy’s national team camp following accusations of racially abusing Napoli’s Juan Jesus during a heated Serie A match.
Amidst the intensity of Sunday’s Serie A clash, Juan Jesus, visibly distressed, approached the referee, signaling Acerbi’s alleged use of a racist slur. The incident, captured by close-up television footage, unfolded as Juan Jesus pointed to his sleeve adorned with a “Keep Racism Out” badge, emblematic of the league’s anti-racism campaign.
Initially scheduled to join Italy’s squad for upcoming friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador in the United States, Acerbi’s departure from the camp signals a significant turn of events. In response to the allegation, Acerbi provided his account of the incident to Italy coach Luciano Spalletti and fellow players. The Italian soccer federation emphasized the importance of adhering to internal policies while investigating the matter with due respect to the autonomy of the sporting justice system.
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Despite Acerbi’s denial of any racist intent, the decision was made to exclude him from the squad for the upcoming matches. This move aims to ensure the tranquility of the national team environment and provide Acerbi with the opportunity to address the situation within his club.
Both Acerbi’s agent and Inter Milan have refrained from immediate comment on the issue. Meanwhile, Juan Jesus opted not to delve into specifics post-match, asserting that on-field matters should remain within the confines of the game. Expressing a reconciliatory tone, Juan Jesus acknowledged Acerbi’s apology and emphasized their ability, as adults, to resolve issues on the field.
The match, which concluded in a 1-1 draw with Juan Jesus netting a late equalizer against his former club, saw Acerbi and Juan Jesus embrace at its conclusion. Despite the contentious nature of the match, Juan Jesus expressed hope that such incidents would not recur, emphasizing Acerbi’s intelligence and the possibility of amicable resolution.
While Acerbi escaped immediate disciplinary action from the match referee, the Italian soccer federation retains the authority to initiate an investigation. Depending on the contents of the referee’s report, Acerbi could potentially face a ban of at least 10 matches, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations in the context of combating racism in football.
