Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi left Italy‘s national team training camp on Monday amid an allegation that he racially abused Napoli counterpart Juan Jesus in Sunday’s Serie A match.
Juan Jesus, who is Black, was visibly upset in the second half when he walked up to the referee, who then called over Acerbi.
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In close-up television images, Juan Jesus appeared to be telling the referee that Acerbi had used a racist slur. Juan Jesus was also pointing at his shirt sleeve, which had a “Keep Racism Out” badge — as part of the league’s anti-racism campaign.
Acerbi joined up with the Italy squad in Rome before the Azzurri fly to the United States on Tuesday for friendly matches against Venezuela and Ecuador but the 36-year-old has now been replaced by Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.
The Italian football federation (FIGC) said in a statement that in accordance with the Azzurri‘s internal policy, Acerbi spoke to Italy coach Luciano Spalletti and the players to explain his own version of “the presumed racist expression” he allegedly used.
