NAPLES — In a powerful demonstration of solidarity, players from the Italian football team Napoli knelt before their match against Atalanta at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Saturday, signaling their support for teammate Juan Jesus, who alleged racial abuse during a recent Serie A game.
According to Philippines News Agency, the gesture was in response to an incident involving Juan Jesus, a Brazilian player for Napoli, who accused Inter Milan's Italian defender Francesco Acerbi of racial abuse during a match on March 17 in Milan. Despite Jesus's claims, an Italian football league's judge recently ruled that there was insufficient evidence to sanction Acerbi, a decision that Jesus publicly criticized for its lack of acknowledgment of his experience.
The match, which Napoli lost 3-0, saw the team's players kneeling in unison before kickoff, underlining their collective stance against racism in the sport and their support for Jesus. This act of solidarity comes at a critical moment for Napoli, currently positioned eighth in the league, as they navigate through competitive challenges while addressing significant off-field issues.
The controversy has not only impacted Jesus and Napoli but also Acerbi, who, despite the allegations, was not selected for Italy's national team for the upcoming friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador. Acerbi, who was part of Italy's EURO 2020 winning squad, continues to deny the accusations leveled against him.
This incident has sparked broader conversations about racism in football, underscoring the need for more robust mechanisms to address and prevent such behavior. It also reflects the ongoing struggles athletes of color face, highlighting the importance of solidarity and action from both teams and governing bodies in the fight against discrimination.