MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi will not face sanctions for allegedly racially abusing Napoli's Juan Jesus in a Serie A match because there wasn’t enough proof.
The alleged incident on March 17 was revealed when Juan Jesus told the referee Acerbi directed a racial slur at him.
Acerbi has repeatedly denied he used the offensive word.
The Italian soccer federation prosecutor questioned the players and witnesses last week. He reported to the Italian league sporting judge, who also studied images from the match, as well as audio from the referee and VAR, before announcing the decision on Tuesday.
Gerardo Mastrandrea said in a lengthy statement that while it was clear Acerbi insulted Juan Jesus, the “minimum level of reasonable certainty” had not been reached that it was of a racial nature.
If Acerbi was found guilty, he would have faced a minimum 10-match ban, ruling the Italy international out of the rest of the season and most likely the European Championship.
Acerbi was part of the Italy squad that won Euro 2020 although he didn’t play in the quarterfinal, semifinal or final.
Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella jumps for the ball with Napoli's Juan Jesus, right, during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The 36-year-old Acerbi could have also faced further sanctions from Inter, which was reportedly considering cutting ties with the player if he was found guilty.
Juan Jesus, a 32-year-old Black Brazilian, was visibly upset when he walked up to the referee during the second half at San Siro and was also pointing at his shirt sleeve which had a ‘Keep Racism Out’ badge — as part of the league’s anti-racism campaign.
Juan Jesus said after the match that Acerbi apologized and seemed to wish to put the matter behind him, adding, “What happens on the field, stays on the field … he is a good guy.”
Acerbi was sent home from the Italy training camp the next day — ahead of friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador — although coach Luciano Spalletti and the players apparently agreed “there was no defamatory, denigrating or racist intent on his part.”
Acerbi then told reporters he had been misunderstood, prompting Juan Jesus to issue a statement on Instagram about the “despicable matter” and revealing what he alleged the Inter defender said to him.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/Soccer
Napoli's Juan Jesus, center, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Napoli's Juan Jesus, center, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Napoli's Giacomo Raspadori, left, jumps for the ball with Inter Milan's Francesco Acerbi during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
