A father has recalled the events that led to his nine year old Inter supporting son being verbally abused by Fiorentina fans at Sunday’s match between the two clubs.
Florence based Salvatore Formisano took son Nicolo to the game at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and when Lautaro Martinez looked to have scored for Inter, Niccolo, jumped up to celebrate. The Fiorentina fans around did not take too kindly to this and began to insult the youngster, who was escorted away with his father.
“It was all so strange. All we did was celebrate a goal. It was a spontaneous reaction, without insulting anyone. There was no malice in the celebration,” he told FCInter1908.it.
“I don’t want to play the victim card but what happened was something grotesque. We did not want to mock anyone by celebrating. I was told to take off my scarf and go away.
“There was a lot of fear because they [the police] wanted us to leave although at first they were only taking me away and leaving Niccolo there.
“Thankfully I know that everyone is not that way. We have had so many messages of support and I want to thank the many people who reassured him as we moved elsewhere.
“I want to thank Mr. Barone, he took us up to Fiorentina directors box and from there we saw the second half. I also want to thank Melissa Satta, who spoke with Niccolo at the end of the first half and tried to reassure him, as well as the deputy mayor and the entire leadership of Fiorentina.”
