'Koulibaly chants weren't racist'

By Football Italia staff

A leaders of an Inter ultras group claims Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly was not racially abused by his club’ fans as they only tried to ‘rattle our opponents’.

Inter were given a stadium ban for chanting racist abuse in Kalidou’s direction during their 1-0 win on Boxing Day, but Franco Caravita – the head of the Boys group – made it clear there was no derogatory intent on the part of his fellow ultras.

“Racism in stadiums doesn’t exist,” Romanews quoted him as saying.

“The boos towards Koulibaly weren’t racist but a way to rattle our opponents. In the curvas there’s no racism but only parochialism.

“All or almost all the Nerazzurri fans who booed Koulibaly would like him in their team because he’s a good player.

“The Daspo as it is isn’t good and must be changed. There’s no fairness, to date only the Police Headquarters decides and if you’re unpleasant to the Police for some reson, they can give you five years [behind bars].

“I agree with the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Salvini, who spoke of greater

security inside and outside stadia.

“On the other hand, repression has failed and confrontation must be avoided. One must sit at a table and reason, but only with people who know the stadiums and curvas.

“It was a big mistake to stop trains for fans. If they come back then it’s a step in the right direction.”

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow