Inter will have to play two domestic games behind closed doors as a direct consequence for the racial abuse hurled towards Napoli Defender Kalidou Koulibaly. On top of this sentence, the Curva Noord will also be closed for an additional fixture after ‘a great majority’ of the racist chants came via the stand.
The FIGC commented ‘the aggravating circumstances related to their repetition and the climate created inside the stadium’ were taken into account. As a consequence of this, fans will not be able to attend the next two home fixtures against Benevento in the Italian Cup & Sassuolo. The Curva will also be closed for the home Bologna fixture on the 3rd of February.
Napoli defender Koulibaly, who was the subject of the racial chants will also sit out Napoli’s next two fixtures after receiving a double yellow card booking for sarcastically clapping the officials original decision to book him for a challenge on Mateo Politano.
The disciplinary actions did not halt there though, as Lorenzo Insigne has also been given the same punishment plus a €10,000 fine for ‘insulting the referee as a captain’. Elsewhere Juventus manager Max Allegri was fined for having a threatening nature towards officials against Atalanta.
We look to be entering a time in Calcio where perpetrators will be held accountable for their negative and aggressive actions, and it is about time.
