Without evidence, Acerbi escapes punishment for racist insults – 03/26/2024 – Sport

Inter Milan and Italy defender Francesco Acerbi escaped punishment due to lack of evidence over accusations of racist insults against Napoli’s Brazilian Juan Jesus, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said.

“Considering that the minimum level of reasonable certainty regarding the discriminatory content of the infraction committed was not reached, it was decided not to apply the sanctions provided for in article 28 of the Code of Sports Justice”, explained Gerardo Mastandrea, FIGC judge.

According to this article, Acerbi could have been punished with up to ten games of suspension, which would have made him miss the remainder of the European season and put his participation in the Euro Cup (June 14 to July 14) at risk.

“The discriminatory content, without putting into doubt the good faith [de Juan Jesus]was only noticed by the offended player, without any external evidence, whether through audio, video or even a witness”, considered the judge.

In a statement published on their website, Napoli said they were “stunned” by the decision. “It is not reasonable to think that he [Juan Jesus] misunderstood.”

The club added that it will no longer adhere to “purely cosmetic initiatives” against racism and discrimination coordinated by the FIGC.

“We will continue organizing them ourselves, with renewed conviction and determination”, adds the note.

On March 17, during the game between Inter and Napoli in the 29th round of the Italian Championship, Juan Jesus told the referee that Acerbi had made a racist comment.

After the match, the Brazilian player explained on social media that Acerbi “crossed the line”, but that both had clarified things on the field and that the Inter defender apologised.

The following day, Acerbi, called up by the Italy national team for two friendlies in preparation for the European Championship, left the team’s camp after giving his version of events to FIGC officials and denying “any intention to be defamatory, degrading or racist “.

“Acerbi’s statements are completely at odds with the reality of the facts,” denounced Juan Jesus on Instagram. “Racism is fought here and now”, wrote the Brazilian in his publication.