FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has condemned the recent racist incidents in Italian football. Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic was racially abused by opposing fans during a visit to Atalanta Bergamo.
Infantino described this as “absolutely unacceptable” in a post on Instagram. This is not an isolated case, the president of the world association complained and called on the responsible authorities in Italy to impose severe sanctions. This should serve as a deterrent.
“FIFA and I stand by Dusan Vlahovic, just as we do with any other player, coach, official, fan or other participant in a football game who experiences racism or discrimination,” wrote the Swiss. “Victims of such abuse must be supported and perpetrators must be punished appropriately by the authorities.”
Vlahovic scores and sees yellow
The Serbian Juve professional was attacked with chants by many fans in the stadium in Bergamo shortly before the end of the game. The referee stopped the game briefly. After that, Vlahovic scored the goal to make it 2-0 and the abuse continued. The referee then interpreted a gesture by the footballer as a provocation and showed him a yellow card. The Italian Football Federation is expected to annul the warning, as it did recently when Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku was sent off. The Belgian also made a gesture towards the bullying supporters after racist insults.
There have been repeated incidents of racism or anti-Semitism in the stands in the Italian Serie A this season. Especially supporters of Lazio Rome were often noticed – among other things with anti-Semitic chants in both city derbies against AS Roma. A supporter with a jersey and the inscription “Hitlerson” was also seen at one game. But also fans of Juventus, Inter or AC Fiorentina attracted attention with racist behavior.
