Italy's Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has left the national team camp ahead of this month's friendlies after being accused of using a racist expression by Napoli's Juan Jesus in a Serie A game, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Napoli - San Siro, Milan, Italy - March 17, 2024 Inter Milan's Francesco Acerbi and referee Federico La Penna after the match REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo/File PhotoItaly's Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has left the national team camp ahead of this month's friendlies after being accused of using a racist expression by Napoli's Juan Jesus in a Serie A game, the Italian Football Federation said.
"There must be no racism anywhere in the world. I'm sorry I had to leave the national team training camp, but that's how it was and it's right."FIGC said Acerbi, capped 34 times, explained his side of the story to Spalletti and his teammates in Rome on Monday morning. Former Napoli boss Spalletti, addressing the media before Italy's departure to the US, said everyone should be careful about their behaviour.