Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has left the Italy national team squad after an alleged racism incident yesterday.
This according to Italian news outlet FCInterNews. The outlet reports that the 36-year-old left the national team’s training camp after a conversation with Azzurri coach Luciano Spalletti about the incident.
Inter defender Francesco Acerbi was at the heart of a controversial incident during yesterday’s Serie A match against Napoli.
Just before the hour mark during the match, Napoli defender Juan Jesus told referee Federico La Penna that he had been racially abused by Acerbi.
The Brazilian told the referee that the Inter player had used a racist slur.
The consequences for this incident could be very serious. Acerbi could face a lengthy ban if an investigation finds that he racially abused Jesus.
Francesco Acerbi Leaves Italy Squad After Alleged Racism Incident
Yesterday’s match came right before the international break.
Players are starting to join up with their national teams if they received call-ups for the break.
Acerbi was among the players who Italy coach Spalletti called up for upcoming friendly matches against Ecuador and Venezuela.
However, Spalletti and the Italy staff addressed yesterday’s incident per the internal protocol of the Italy national team.
Spalletti asked Acerbi about the incident. And the 36-year-old Inter defender gave the coach his version of events.
According to FCIN, Acerbi told Spalletti that he had not had any discriminatory intent with any of his words to Jesus.
However, the 36-year-old will not be part of the Italy squad during the break as the fallout of the incident during yesterday’s match emerges.
Acerbi left the Azzurri training camp after his conversation with Spalletti, FCIN report.
Subsequently, Roma defender Gianluca Mancini has replaced the Inter defender in the squad.
