Francesco Acerbi Withdraws from Italy Squad Amidst Racism

Francesco Acerbi, the 36-year-old defender for Inter Milan, has opted to depart from the Italy national team camp ahead of their upcoming friendly matches amidst allegations of using a racist expression. The accusation was made by Juan Jesus, a player for Napoli, during a recent Serie A encounter between the two clubs, prompting the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to take swift action.

Initially included in the 28-man squad announced by manager Luciano Spalletti for the matches against Venezuela and Ecuador in the United States, Acerbi’s departure sees him replaced by Gianluca Mancini from AS Roma. Italy’s fixtures include a match against Venezuela on Thursday, followed by a clash with Ecuador on March 24.

The alleged incident occurred during Sunday’s closely-contested 1-1 draw between Serie A leaders Inter Milan and seventh-placed Napoli. Following the match, Juan Jesus revealed that Acerbi had apologized for the incident. Acerbi, who has been capped 34 times for Italy, subsequently provided his account of the situation to Spalletti and his teammates in Rome on Monday morning.

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??| During the Inter-Napoli match yesterday Juan Jesus was caught on camera telling the referee that Acerbi “called me a n***o.” ?

However, in the post-match interview, Juan Jesus stated:

?️ “He apologised and we can move on. When the referee blows the whistle, it is all… pic.twitter.com/HCe5M9ObSw
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) March 18, 2024

In response to Acerbi’s explanation, the FIGC issued a statement indicating that, while there was no evidence of defamatory, denigrating, or racist intent on his part, it was decided to omit Acerbi from the squad for the upcoming friendlies. This decision was made to allow time for the matter to be resolved and to provide space for Acerbi and the national team to regroup. Acerbi is set to return to his club, Inter Milan, following his departure from the Italy camp.

Inter Milan has acknowledged the FIGC’s decision and expressed their intention to meet with Acerbi to gain clarity on the situation. The club emphasized their commitment to addressing the matter promptly and ensuring that the necessary steps are taken to address any concerns.

The allegations of racism within football highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the sport in combating discrimination and promoting inclusivity. As the investigation into the incident continues, both Acerbi and the Italy national team will navigate through the fallout, seeking resolution and clarity amidst the controversy.