Racial abuse and discriminations have become quotidian these days resulting in unsavory outcome during games. In Italy, it has turned more of a threat to the game itself as incidents have become increasingly common. Recently, a Serie A match between Atalanta and Fiorentina had to be stopped for several minutes because of racist abuse of Brazilian Dalbert. He was subjected to jeers and whistles by a section of the crowd which led him to ask the referee to halt play.
There was a halt of play at the Stadio Ennio Tardini until they made a warning announcement through the stadium speakers. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has taken cognizance of the situation and said that racism in Italian football has “not improved”.
“In Italy, the situation has not improved and this is serious,” said Infantino to the media of the FIFA Best Awards on Monday. He said that perpetrators would be dealt with. “We have to identify those responsible and throw them out of the stadiums, we need clear sentences, as in England, we must not be afraid to condemn the racists, we must fight them to the end.”
Image courtesy: FIFA
