Former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta offers his take on the ugly row involving Inter Milan veteran Francesco Acerbi and Napoli defender Juan Jesus.

The Brazilian accused the Italian of addressing him while using a racial slur.

The FIGC launched an investigation into the matter. Acerbi was eventually found not guilty due to the lack of evidence, but the story is still making the rounds in the press.

For his part, Billy Costacurta feels that sporting justice had no choice but to acquit Acerbi. However, he reveals that racism incidents were more frequent during his time.

“Racism was much worse in the past. Under the Curvas, Rijkaard and Gullit used to be massacred,” said the 57-year-old in his interview with Il Corriere dello Sport via FcInterNews.

“So the fact that we are now rightly indignant means that we have made steps forward.

“On the Acerbi-Juan Jesus case, I believe that sporting justice couldn’t have done otherwise amidst the lack of evidence.

“Something unpleasant certainly happened on the pitch, but a different verdict could have created a dangerous precedent.”

Billy Costacurta Discusses Francesco Acerbi Case & Looks Back On Past Incidents

On another note, Costacurta felt that the Champions League was an opportunity that Inter squandered. The Serie A leaders exited from the Round of 16 at the hands of Atletico Madrid.

“Inter missed an opportunity, Milan did the same against Newcastle and Dortmund. Lazio and Napoli faced two giants.

“Last year we were lucky, this season it was the opposite. In my opinion, however, the gap with the European elite has decreased despite the results.”

Nevertheless, the former Italy star praises the Nerazzurri for their exciting playing style.

“Inter have a wonderful quality of play. Napoli couldn’t replicate themselves because they changed their coach and sold Kim.

“The team with the strongest defense clinches the Scudetto. But lately, the team that plays the best football is also winning. Inter have scored 71 goals in 29 fixtures.”

Finally, The Milan legend identifies Alessandro Bastoni as one of the two best defenders in Serie A

“I’ll name Alessandro Buongiorno and Alessandro Bastoni as the best defenders in the league.

“Acerbi is the most solid inside the box. But with the national team, and with all the space behind him, he could struggle.”