2024-03-19 00:06:42
An accusation of racism against Francesco Acerbi now has consequences for his career in the Italian national team. Although he denies wrongdoing, he is forced to leave.
Football professional Francesco Acerbi will not play in the Italian national team’s upcoming international matches after being accused of a racist insult in a Serie A game.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced the departure of the Inter Milan central defender from the Squadra Azzurra training camp and the re-call-up of Gianluca Mancini.
Exact circumstances should be clarified
In the game against SSC Napoli (1:1) on Sunday, Acerbi is said to have racially insulted his opponent Juan Jesus. According to the FIGC, Acerbi denies the allegations. Nevertheless, the decision was made to remove the 36-year-old from the squad for the next two friendly matches in the USA so that the situation could calm down, the FIGC said.
Inter Milan also wanted to meet with the player as soon as possible to clarify the exact circumstances of the incident, the club said.
Acerbi denies racist statements
After the game, Juan Jesus did not provide any information about the events. “What happens on the field stays on the field,” the Brazilian told DAZN. “Acerbi apologized, he went a bit too far with his words. He’s a good guy.”
Acerbi denies the allegations. “No racist remarks have ever come out of my mouth. That’s the only thing I can say,” he said when asked by journalists upon his arrival in Milan after attending a national team meeting. “I know I’ve never said racist expressions, I’ve been playing football for 20 years and I know what I’m saying.”