Juventus punished for racist chants
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Juventus will have to play their next home league game against Lecce on May 3 behind closed doors as punishment for the racist insults hurled by fans at Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli during Saturday's 1-1 draw in Turin.
League Judge Gianpaolo Tosel issued the ruling on Monday as Italy continues to try and tackle racism.
A statement from the Italian Football League read: "The ruling is based on the fact that, on numerous occasions, the fans of the home club in several sections of the stadium chanted songs of racial discrimination against a rival player."
Earlier, Juventus president Giovanni Coboli Gigli voiced his anger over the abuse aimed at Balotelli.
"In the name of Juventus and the majority of its fans, I express condemnation for the racist chanting directed at Inter player Mario Balotelli," he said in a statement.
"There are no excuses or justification for that behaviour. Football fans can get hot up but episodes like this are unacceptable.
"Together we must all try to promote a sporting culture that puts respect for the adversary at its core and fights against racism."
Inter president Massimo Moratti, who was not at the stadium but watched the game on TV, was also shocked by the taunts directed at his player.
"Had I been at the stadium, at a certain point I would have left my place in the presidential stand and gone straight down and taken my players off the pitch," he raged.
"There is a limit to everything. I thought the referee would stop the game but I was mistaken.
"These chants have been made by almost everyone at the stadium, with such conviction that there seemed to be pride and happiness in singing those songs.
"This is terrible and all my team left Turin shocked and hurt by this incident."
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League Judge Gianpaolo Tosel issued the ruling on Monday as Italy continues to try and tackle racism.
A statement from the Italian Football League read: "The ruling is based on the fact that, on numerous occasions, the fans of the home club in several sections of the stadium chanted songs of racial discrimination against a rival player."
Earlier, Juventus president Giovanni Coboli Gigli voiced his anger over the abuse aimed at Balotelli.
"In the name of Juventus and the majority of its fans, I express condemnation for the racist chanting directed at Inter player Mario Balotelli," he said in a statement.
"There are no excuses or justification for that behaviour. Football fans can get hot up but episodes like this are unacceptable.
"Together we must all try to promote a sporting culture that puts respect for the adversary at its core and fights against racism."
Inter president Massimo Moratti, who was not at the stadium but watched the game on TV, was also shocked by the taunts directed at his player.
"Had I been at the stadium, at a certain point I would have left my place in the presidential stand and gone straight down and taken my players off the pitch," he raged.
"There is a limit to everything. I thought the referee would stop the game but I was mistaken.
"These chants have been made by almost everyone at the stadium, with such conviction that there seemed to be pride and happiness in singing those songs.
"This is terrible and all my team left Turin shocked and hurt by this incident."
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Related links:
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