Inter’s Acerbi leaves Italy camp after racist abuse claims

Francesco Acerbi on Monday left Italy’s training camp ahead of two friendlies in the United States after reports he will be investigated for alleged racial abuse of Napoli defender Juan Jesus.

In a statement Italy’s Football Federation (FIGC) said that Inter Milan defender Acerbi had given “his version of events” to his Azzurri teammates and coach Luciano Spalletti “on the alleged racist remark”.

The FIGC continued that Acerbi said that he “had no intention of being defamatory, denigratory or racist” but that he would be dropped from the 28-man squad called up to play Venezuela and Ecuador in the build-up to Italy’s European title defence.

Roma’s central defender Gianluca Mancini replaces Acerbi, who is set to be questioned by the FIGC’s disciplinary authorities following Jesus’ claim he used a racist insult during Inter’s 1-1 draw with Napoli on Sunday night.

Brazilian Jesus was seen protesting to referee Federico La Penna, pointing to the Keep Racism Out badge on his shirt and apparently saying that “(Acerbi) called me a negro”.

After the match Jesus, who scored Napoli’s late equaliser, played down the incident by saying that Acerbi had “crossed a line” while not explaining how his fellow centre-back had insulted him and adding that the two had cleared the air.

“He apologised because he realised that he had gone too far… what happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch,” Jesus said to DAZN.

Serie A told AFP that the regular report from the division’s “sporting judge” Gerardo Mastrandrea will be released on Tuesday.

That document, which is usually published the day after the end of each round of matches, should confirm whether Acerbi will be investigated for the incident.

Acerbi risks being banned for at least 10 matches if found guilty of racially abusing Jesus, and authorities can ask for an even longer ban if they see fit.

A guilty verdict would end his club season with Inter who are set to win their 20th league title, with the possibility of any ban being extended worldwide with the Euro starting on June 14.