Inter Milan and Italy defender Francesco Acerbi escaped punishment due to lack of evidence over accusations of racist insults against Napoli’s Brazilian Juan Jesus, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said.
“Considering that the minimum level of reasonable certainty regarding the discriminatory content of the offense committed was not reached, it was decided not to apply the sanctions provided for in article 28 of the code of sports justice”, explained Gerardo Mastandrea, FIGC judge.
According to this article, Acerbi could have been punished with up to ten games of suspension, which would have made him miss the remainder of the European season and put his participation in the European Championship (June 14 – July 14) at risk.
“The discriminatory content, without putting into doubt the good faith [de Juan Jesus]was only noticed by the offended player, without any external evidence, whether through audio, video or even a witness”, considered the judge.
On March 17, during the game between Inter and Napoli in the 29th round of the Italian Championship, Juan Jesus warned the referee that Acerbi had made a racist comment.
After the match, the Brazilian player explained on social media that Acerbi “crossed the line”, but that both had clarified things on the field and that the Inter defender apologised.
The following day, Acerbi, called up by the Italian national team for two friendlies in preparation for the European Championship, left the ‘Azzurra’ concentration after having given his version of the events to the FIGC directors and having denied “any intention to be defamatory, degrading or racist.”
“Acerbi’s statements are completely at odds with the reality of the facts”, denounced Juan Jesus on Instagram.”
“Racism is fought here and now”, wrote the Brazilian in his publication.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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