Milan (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Monday made a plea to “kick racism out” of Italian football, during the FIFA Best Football Awards ceremony in Milan.
“Tonight is a night to celebrate, but we should reflect a little bit,” the Swiss-Italian football chief told a star-studded gathering at Milan’s iconic La Scala Opera House.
“I would like to say that here in Italy in my country, yesterday (Sunday) we witnessed again in the Italian championship an episode of racism.
“This is not acceptable any more, we have to say no to racism in society. We have to kick racism out of football and society once and for all.”
Sunday’s Italian league match between Atalanta and Fiorentina was halted for several minutes after racist abuse was aimed at the Tuscan side’s Brazilian player Dalbert in a game played in Parma.
The problem is a recurring one throughout the peninsula.
This season Inter Milan’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku and AC Milan’s Ivorian player Franck Kessie have both been targeted by monkey calls without any sanction being taken.
Blaise Matuidi, Kalidou Koulibaly and Moïse Kean were also victims last season.
200+ Channels With Sports & News
- Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
- Watch Premier League, Women’s World Cup, Euro 2024 & Gold Cup
The New Home of MLS
- Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
- Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
- Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, Championship, & FA Cup
2,000+ soccer games per year
- Price: $5.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & Brasileirāo
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
- Starting price: $5.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
- Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season