Inter's Mauro Icardi tries to calm Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly during the match marred by racist chants. GETTY IMAGES
Inter Milan will have to play two Serie A games behind closed doors "following serious events" at its game against Napoli at the San Siro on Wednesday, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Thursday, according to SKY SPORTS. An Inter Milan fan, Daniele Belardinelli, died and four Napoli fans were stabbed before the Serie A match, "and there were also allegations of racist chanting inside the San Siro." Belardinelli "was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after being hit by a van but later died." In a separate incident, "four Napoli fans were stabbed around an hour before the game as ultras from both sides clashed." The atmosphere during the match "remained hostile," with Napoli Manager Carlo Ancelotti demanding the game "be suspended because of alleged racist chanting" toward defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who was sent off. He was first penalized in the 80th minute for pulling Inter's Matteo Politano. Koulibaly was booked and "responded with sarcastic applause." His dissent "earned him a second yellow." FIGC also confirmed Serie A games will go ahead this weekend. FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said, "Saturday will be played, there will be regular matches. The championship will not stop. ... We do not stop against those who want to contaminate our world." On the allegations of racism at the San Siro, Gravina added, "The line must be very tough but here too I invite everyone to make a reflection of respect for the roles." Milan Mayor Guiseppe Sala apologized to Koulibaly for the abuse, "asking the 27-year-old for forgiveness." Sala said, "The boos aimed at Koulibaly were shameful" (SKY SPORTS, 12/27). In London, Paolo Bandini reported the match will be remembered "for the worst possible reasons." Milan’s police commissioner, Marcello Cardona, said on Thursday that a combined group of Inter, Varese and Nice ultras -- elements of those clubs’ fanbases "have developed ties over the years" -- carrying wooden bats and metal bars "had attacked a minibus taking Napoli supporters to the game." During "the melee that followed, with many trying to flee the scene, Belardinelli was struck by an SUV." The driver of the vehicle "has not yet been identified" and Cardona "indicated it was possible" they did not realize they had hit someone. Two individuals had been arrested by Thursday morning "and a third was being sought." During the game, the stadium’s public address called for the racist chants at Koulibaly to stop three times, "to no avail." Ancelotti revealed Napoli "had made three requests for the game to be suspended." He said, "Matches can be suspended but we need to know when. Is it after the fifth chant, or how many more after that? ... Next time we’ll just stop the game ourselves. Even if that means having the result awarded against us" (GUARDIAN, 12/27).
SHOW OF SUPPORT: The GUARDIAN reported Koulibaly tweeted, "I’m disappointed by the defeat, but above all at leaving my brothers. But I am proud of the color of my skin. Proud to be French, Senegalese, Neapolitan: a man" (GUARDIAN, 12/26). The BBC reported Napoli's 27-year-old Algerian left-back Faouzi Ghoulam "posted a message of support" on Twitter. He said, "It was painful to hear racist chants directed at my brother" (BBC, 12/27).
'IGNORANCE BY DEFINITION': FOOTBALL ITALIA reported Mino Raiola warned "Italian football has no future if it fails to defeat the cancer" that is racism. He said, "Racism is ignorance by definition. It’s difficult to talk to the ignorant, but we must always fight against them and be united together" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 12/27).
A PERSISTENT PROBLEM: In London, Gary Jacob reported a fortnight ago, UEFA opened an investigation into the Chelsea fans "who sang antisemitic songs during the Europa League game against Vidi in Budapest." On Wednesday, a small number of Chelsea fans "interjected the Y-word into their song about Willian hating Tottenham Hotspur in each half." Chelsea "did not deny the episode and referred to the strong condemnation" from Chair Bruce Buck and "his vow not to rest until the discrimination was eliminated from the club" (LONDON TIMES, 12/27). In Sydney, Dominic Bossi reported Football Federation Australia "will investigate an allegation of racial abuse" directed toward Western Sydney Wanderers player Roly Bonevacia by a supporter during Wednesday's match against Adelaide United (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/27).
