Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi could miss out on EURO 2024 if he is found guilty of racially abusing Napoli defender Juan Jesus.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Inter defender Acerbi is at the centre of a firestorm following Sunday’s Serie A match against Napoli.
The 36-year-old was involved in an alleged racism incident. Napoli defender Juan Jesus told referee Federico La Penna that he had received a racist insult from the Nerazzurri player.
Now, there will be an investigation to determine whether this was actually the case.
Acerbi has denied that he had used racist language towards Jesus. But the Brazilian responded on Instagram, insisting that the Inter defender had used a racial slur against him.
Meanwhile, Acerbi has also pulled out of the Italy squad for the international break.
The decision for the defender to leave the training camp came after he had a conversation with Azzurri coach Luciano Spalletti about the alleged incident on Sunday.
Francesco Acerbi Could Miss EURO 2024 Due To Alleged Racism Incident
Now, the Italian FA’s prosecutors’ office is conducting an investigation of the incident between Acerbi and Jesus during Sunday’s match.
The investigators will interview Acerbi and Jesus. They will also review available video footage and speak to others who were present near the incident.
And the outcome of this investigation will prove to be immensely significant for Acerbi.
Should the investigators determine that the Inter defender racially abused Jesus, he will face a lengthy suspension.
The minimum length of a ban for racially discriminatory language would be ten matches.
That would see Acerbi miss the rest of the Serie A season, with nine matches to go.
Then, there is the matter of the upcoming Euros.
Acerbi has started regularly for the Italian national team in the last couple years. Therefore, he had looked on track to have a place in the Azzurri’s squad at the upcoming Euros.
However, if Acerbi is to be found guilty of racist offenses, then that spot would be in very major doubt.
Firstly, there would be the matter of the former Lazio and Sassuolo defender not playing for the rest of the season.
Match-fitness would therefore be a significant doubt for Acerbi at the Euros.
And equally significantly, a verdict that Acerbi did indeed racially abuse Jesus would significantly tarnish the player’s reputation.
Italy coach Spalletti spoke of a “responsibility” for the national team to take incidents of this nature significantly.
It seems unlikely that the national team would call Acerbi up for the Euros amid the controversy if he faces a significant ban for racism.
