Naples: Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly said that he was racially abused by a section of Fiorentina supporters following their Serie A match on Sunday. Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport reported that Victor Osimhen and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa were also targeted after their defeat by Napoli, Reuters reports. Alongside a photograph of himself pointing into the crowd, Koulibaly said he had heard the abuse from the stands and called for action.
“‘… monkey’ – that’s what they called me,” Koulibaly said on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. “These subjects have nothing to do with sport.
“They must be identified and kept out of the stadiums: forever. #NoToRacism.”
Nigerian striker Osimhen released a statement via social media, which was retweeted by the official Napoli team account.
“Speak to your kids, your parents, make them understand how disgusting it is to hate an individual because of the colour of their skin,” wrote the Nigeria international. NO TO RACISM.”
Fiorentina condemned the incident on Monday.
“Fiorentina expresses the firmest and harsh condemnation for the episodes of racism that took place yesterday during the match against Napoli,” the Serie A club said in a statement.
“General Manager (Joe) Barone, already after the match, personally apologized.
“La Viola (Fiorentina) has already made available to the police all the video images and all the tools in its possession so that the culprits of these unspeakable chants are identified.
“Once the responsible institutions have identified the culprits, it will be the care of Fiorentina itself to prohibit them from accessing the stadium, hoping the same commitment from all the clubs, as well as the application of the rules that must always be the same for everyone.”
Florence’s mayor also released a statement on Monday.
“On behalf of Florence, I apologize,” Dario Nardella said on Twitter. “Whoever yesterday offended the players of the Napoli at the stadium does not represent the city and does not represent Fiorentina.”
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has opened an investigation into the incident.
“The Federal Prosecutor’s Office, having acquired the reports of its inspectors and having listened to the player, has opened an investigation,” FIGC said in a statement.
“In the next few hours, further investigation will be carried out by acquiring the relevant documents from the Florence Police Headquarters.”
Italian football has been plagued by racism. Last month, prosecutors opened an investigation into alleged racist chants by Lazio supporters directed at AC Milan midfielders Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessie, while Juventus were forced into issuing an apology after their women’s team account tweeted a picture containing a racist gesture in August.
Napoli came from behind to earn a 2-1 victory in Florence, maintaining their 100%-win record at the start of the Serie A season to sit top of the standings.
