Anti-racism campaign in Italy is a facade, says Napoli – 03/29/2024 – The World Is a Ball

Napoli decided not to participate in the campaign against racism promoted by the Italian Championship, stating that the action is merely a façade.

The decision comes after the Italian federation determined that Francesco Acerbi will not receive punishment for alleged verbal aggression, of a racist nature, made against Juan Jesus in the match between Internazionale and Napoli the Sunday before last.

In the confrontation in Milan (1-1), the visitors’ goal was scored by the Brazilian athlete, who was the author of the accusation.

In the verdict, the sports court declared, after analyzing the images, that there was no “reasonable minimum level of certainty” to consider that Acerbi, 36, had offended Juan Jesus, 32, with racist words. Both players are defenders.

Dissatisfied with the conclusion of the case, Napoli announced that it is outside the anti-racism action called “Keep Racism Out”, considering it to exist only in appearance, with no practical effects.

The southern Italian club’s statement reads: “We will no longer adhere to initiatives that are merely a facade of football institutions against racism and discrimination, but we will continue to do them ourselves, as we have always done, with renewed conviction and determination.” .

At the launch of its new shirt this week, the club confirmed that it would not have the phrase “Keep Racism Out” on the sleeve.

The Italian Championship intends, in the next two rounds of the competition, to convey messages (for example, on the captains’ armbands) that highlight the importance of combating all types of discrimination, not just in football.

Via Napoli’s website, Juan Jesus, who in Brazil played for Internacional and in Italy played for Inter Milan and Roma, said he did not feel supported by the court’s decision and feared that it could “set a serious precedent to justify certain behaviors “.

In addition to Juan Jesus, Napoli has other black players in its squad, such as Brazilian Natan (defender, ex-Flamengo), Cameroonian Anguissa (midfielder), Ivorian Traoré (attacking midfielder) and Nigerian Osimhen (striker) .

Inter, Acerbi’s team, also has black athletes: Frenchman Thuram (striker), Colombian Cuadrado (winger), Dutchman Dumfries (full-back), German Bisseck (defender) and Senegalese Sarr (striker).

In addition to the situation with Acerbi and Juan Jesus, another case involving racism made headlines in Italian football this year.

At the end of January, Frenchman Mike Maignan, from Milan, was the target of insults in the game against Udinese, in Udine, which was interrupted when fans of the home team made monkey sounds when targeting the goalkeeper.

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