Francesco Acerbi has been acquitted by the sports judge Gerardo Mastandrea after being accused of hurling a racist toward Juan Jesus in the recent clash with Napoli. He won’t face discipline as there was no hard evidence against him. He could have been suspended for at least ten games if found guilty.
The judge, who ordered an investigation on the matter, noted that he questioned both players and the referee before coming to a decision. The two traded barbs from afar after clashing into one other in the Nerazzurri’s box and argued for a minute in the middle of the pitch during a stoppage afterward. However, the images weren’t clear enough, and it quickly turned into a he said, he said.
Mastandrea listened to the dialogue between the referee and the VAR room and received a video from the Napoli defender. However, while Acerbi uttered some offenses and threats, albeit not blatantly, only the opposing center-backs perceived them as racist.
The sports judge reiterated the importance of the fight against discrimination in football. However, he added that sanctions of this magnitude need to be properly demonstrated. It wasn’t the case in this instance, as there weren’t certainties about what Acerbi said.
Therefore, the veteran will be at his coach’s disposal for Monday’s game versus Empoli and going forward. Inter lost Stefan De Vrij to a small thigh problem during the break. He’ll be an option for Luciano Spalletti for Euro 2024.
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