Defender Francesco Acerbi left the Italian selection gathering on Monday, before two friendly matches scheduled in the United States, accused of having uttered a racist insult against the Brazilian defender of Naples Juan Jesus, Sunday in the jersey of the 'Inter Milan (1-1).
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) explained that the 36-year-old Inter Milan defender had given “his version of the facts” to his national team teammates and coach Luciano Spalletti “about the racist remark presumed”.
The FIGC added that Acerbi - 34 caps since his debut in 2014 with the Nazionale - had said he "did not intend to be defamatory, denigrating or racist", but would not be part of the group of 28 players summoned to face Venezuela on Thursday in Florida and Ecuador on Sunday in New York as part of Italy's preparation for the defense of its title of European champion.
Francesco #Acerbi lascia il ritiro azzurro, al suo posto convocato Gianluca #Mancini #Nazionale 🇮🇹 #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/1gDyZxk7R0
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) March 18, 2024
Roma central defender Gianluca Mancini replaces Acerbi, who is expected to be questioned by FIGC disciplinary authorities, after Jesus accused the Italian of using a racist insult against him, during the 1-1 draw of Inter against Napoli.
“Acerbi called me a nigger,” the Brazilian, a former Inter player, allegedly told referee Federico La Penna, showing the “Keep Racism Out” badge on his jersey.
“He realized he had gone too far…”
After the match, Jesus, who scored Napoli's late equalizer, played down the incident, saying Acerbi had "crossed the line" and assured the pair had cleared the air.
“He apologized because he realized he had gone too far... what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch,” Jesus told DAZN.
#Acerbi: “Non ho mai detto alcuna frase razzista.
E ora dico un beau vaffanculo al razzismo.
Frasi razziste dalla mia bocca non ne sono mai uscite, poco ma sicuro”.#Inter pic.twitter.com/y6UEGNXtTI
— Simone Togna (@SimoneTogna) March 18, 2024
“I have never made racist remarks,” Acerbi assured Italian reporter Simone Togna, as the latter indicated on X (ex-Twitter).
Serie A told AFP that the referee's report will be published on Tuesday, which is expected to confirm whether Acerbi will be investigated over the incident.
The player risks a ten-match suspension, and Italian football governing bodies can request an even longer suspension if they deem it necessary.
A guilty verdict could end his season with his club Inter, who are on the verge of winning their 20th league title, with the possibility of an extension of the suspension at international level, with the Euros starting on June 14.