Hellas Verona fans are at it once again as Italian outlet Il Mattino has pointed out that the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi was the scene of ugly racist chants by Gialloblu fans during the club’s season opener against Napoli. The Partenopei however, showed their might on the pitch, demolishing the home outfit 5-2 in an exciting goal-fest.
The newspaper highlighted the events of the afternoon in a subtle manner, referring to the act of the Scaligeri fans’ as punctual as the peak of heat in August.’
“Racist choirs routinely characterize the challenges between Verona and the Napoli. Punctual as the peak of heat in August, they arrived again this year. New season, old habits. From the stands of Bentegodi came boos and racist insults against Naples and more generally of all the Neapolitan people.”
Players were targeted, with Nigerian marksman Victor Osimhen reportedly at the center of attention once again. He was subject to regular abuse, whistles and racist chants each time he touched the ball. Once the Nigerian made it 2-1, he kicked the ball into the stands and made a crying gesture at the cameras, mocking back at the home crowd for jeering him.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office identified Verona fans for being responsible for racial and discriminatory chants against the Napoli striker. Serie A levied a €12k fine against the club. Although it is the act of the fans, club officials will have to take responsibility to minimize and eventually eradicate such events from taking place.
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