Inter defender Francesco Acerbi has left the Italian national team camp after Napoli’s Juan Jesus accused him of racially abusing him.
A video that emerged recently showed that Jesus told the referee during the Inter v Napoli game yesterday that he was racially abused by Acerbi. The situation was calmed down by the official, but Jesus hinted at that after the game and the situation has caused many raised eyebrows.
Italy have now confirmed that Acerbi has left the training camp and has been replaced by Roma’s Gianluca Mancini. The press release states Acerbi’s stance about the situation, as he is adamant that he didn’t say anything racially offensive to the Brazilian, who had actually scored yesterday (via Gianluca di Marzio).
The statement states that a reconstruction was carried out and it stated that nothing of a racially offensive nature was said. But the Azzurri find it neccessary to exclude Acerbi from the next two games for the sake of his ‘serenity’ and the player will return to Inter later today.
Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN
