Kalidou Koulibaly, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Victor Osimhen were the subjects of racist chants at the end of the match between Napoli and Fiorentina. The shouts continued until the three players left the pitch. The defender confronted the fans from distance and invited them to say those things to his face, Il Mattino reports. The Italian FA opened an inquiry.
The Napoli star took it to Twitter to address the incident: “They called me a monkey. These people have nothing to do with sports. They must be identified and permanently banned from stadiums.”
«Scimmia di merda».
«Putain de singe».
«Fucking monkey».
Mi hanno chiamato così.
Questi soggetti non c’entrano con lo sport.
Vanno identificati e tenuti fuori dagli stadi: per sempre.?? #KK #NoToRacism ??
? @mattinodinapoli pic.twitter.com/mPz0vZJ5c0
— Koulibaly Kalidou (@kkoulibaly26) October 4, 2021
Fiorentina CEO Joe Barone apologized directly to the Partenopei in the locker room, Sky Sport reports. The Viola issued a statement: “We firmly disavow the chants and racist slurs directed at the opposing players from the stands of the Stadio Franchi after the game against Napoli.” President Rocco Commisso had invited the supporters to be respectful towards the adversaries beforehand.
Writer and Napoli fan Maurizio De Giovanni penned on Facebook: “Monkey. That is how they called this superman, this intelligent, smart, cheerful, loving, and profound guy. This absolute champion. And then again with the Vesuvio Vulcan that must shower us with fire. And the soap and cholera. Sometimes winning means more. But it is not enough. What else do those in charge need to see to shut down a stadium or hand out penalty points?”
It is already the third incident of this kind this season. The other two involved Tiemoué Bakayoko at San Siro versus Lazio and Mike Maignan in Turin against Juventus.