Inter charged with racist chanting

By Football Italia staff

Inter fans have been accused by the Lega Serie A of racist chanting aimed at Juventus’ Blaise Matuidi, so an investigation has been opened by the prosecutor.

After 55 minutes of Saturday night’s Derby d’Italia, all three of the observers present in the stadium heard “chants expressive of racial discrimination” aimed at the Frenchman from all three levels of the Curva Verde, “which lasted for a few seconds”.

However, under Serie A rules a certain percentage of fans must have taken part for there to be any sanction, and as the three observers were all far away from the Curva Verde, it could not be established how many fans took part.

Therefore “it’s necessary to acquire the data, even approximate, on the occupancy of the sectors involved, as well as receive confirmation that the chants heard came from all three sectors of the Curva Verde, as indicated in the report”.

As a result, the Lega Serie A has “reserved any decision on the matter, including the suspension of the execution of the penalty imposed on the occasion of the Internazionale-Napoli game on April 30”, while giving the prosecutor the mandate to “acquire the data and elements indicated above”.

Fiorentina have been sanctioned this week though, receiving a €10,000 fine for anti-Neapolitan chants during their win over Napoli.

Cagliari’s Luca Cigarini has received a two-game ban, having been sent off against Sampdoria and then insulted the match officials.

Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Roma defender Juan Jesus, Matias Vecino of Inter and Benevento midfielder Danilo Cataldi all received a one-game ban for their respective red cards.

Also missing Week 36 are Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic, Enrico Brignola of Benevento, Atalanta’s Mattia Caldara, Inter full-back Danilo Ambrosio, Torino’s Emiliano Moretti, Vincent Laurini of Fiorentina and Cagliari centre-back Leandro Castan, who all picked up a fifth booking and incurred a one-game ban.

Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri has been given a warning after coming on to the pitch to stop his players celebrating their winning goal against Inter.

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