Tiemoue Bakayoko was subjected to racist abuse during AC Milan’s Coppa Italia clash against Lazio on Wednesday evening.
The midfielder, who is on a season-long loan with the Rossoneri from Chelsea, was targeted throughout the match by Lazio supporters.
3
Bakayoko was racially abused during AC Milan’s clash against Lazio
Before the match, around 50 fans of the Rome club raised a banner reading ‘Honour to Benito Mussolini’ – the Italian wartime dictator. They also made fascist salutes moments before kick-off.
Racist chants of ‘this Banana is for Bakayoko’ were then reportedly heard from the fans throughout the clash.
The Lazio faithful jeered Bakayoko and his midfield team-mate Franck Kessie after they celebrated a victory over Lazio earlier this month by parading around with defender Francesco Acerbi’s shirt.
Bakayoko and Acerbi had been involved in a back-and-forth on Twitter and the Milan duo rubbed salt in the wounds with the celebrations, an act they later apologised for.
According to Football Italia, Lazio fans wanted to get payback for the act and smuggled inflatable bananas into the stadium to brandish at Bakayoko throughout the game.
3
Bakayoko and Kessie taunted Lazio fans last month with their celebrations
In response to the chants, AC Milan’s stadium announcer said the match would be called off if the chanting persisted, but the action led to more abhorrent abuse from the fans.
Throughout the clash, Football Italia updated followers, writing: “Lazio fans are continuing to chant racist abuse towards Tiemoue Bakayoko outside the gates of San Siro.
“The tension is escalating ahead of the Coppa Italia semi-final against AC Milan, as Lazio ultras are already aiming racist chants at Tiemoue Bakayoko.
“Speaker reads out message warning game will be suspended if racist chants continue. Lazio ultras respond by chanting about bananas.
“Italian rules state the referee cannot stop play for racist abuse. Only the person in charge of public safety and security can do that. Their main priority is preventing a riot, so very unlikely to stop play.”
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
In the match, Lazio got through to their fourth Coppa Italia final in seven years thanks to a goal from Joaquin Correa.
But the game was marred by the vile abuse, with Lazio later releasing a statement to condemn the actions of their supporters.
The statement read: “SS Lazio clearly distance ourselves from behaviour and manifestations that do not in any way correspond to the values of sport that this club has promoted and supported for 119 years.
“Lazio also reject and contest the simplistic tendency of the media to consider the entire Lazio fanbase responsible for the actions of a few isolated elements, for motivation that has nothing to do with passion for sport.
“The club has always fought for the respect of law and fairness in behaviour.”
It is the latest incident in a long line of racist abuse that has blighted football recently.
3
Moise Kean was subjected to racial abuse throughout Juventus’ clash at Cagliari
Juventus forward Moise Keen was targeted by Cagliari fans during their Serie A clash, while in England Troy Deeney and Raheem Sterling have also been subject to high-profile instances of racial abuse.
Roberto Firmino: Incredible statistic shows just how good the Liverpool forward has been in the Champions League The Brazilian grabbed another goal and assist in the first half of their quarter
~ Roberto Firmino: Incredible statistic shows just how good
Liverpool planning to extend Anfield further and could take stadium capacity to over 60,000. The new Main Stand at Anfield was completed last summer and the Reds are already looking at how they
Liverpool Exploring Options to Expand Anfield Beyond 60,000
Liverpool and Tottenham will meet in the first all-English Champions League final for 11 years. Jurgen Klopp's Reds and Mauricio Pochettino's sides both had the stars aligned for remarkable
FAN FOOTAGE: Spurs v Liverpool | Champions League Final
Man Utd team-mates 'openly joking about Pogba transfer' as Real Madrid chase wantaway World Cup winner The France international was already involved in a bust-up with his team-mates following
Man Utd stars 'openly joking about Pogba transfer' as Real
According to reports from Daily Mail, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is keen to sign Velez Sarsfield wonderkid Thiago Almada, dubbed the 'New Lionel Messi'. The teenager, who turns 18 in
Manchester City keen on £20m 'new Messi' Thiago Almada
PSG offer support to fans after weapons found on coach. Paris St Germain have expressed their "full support" to fans who travelled to the Champions League match against Chelsea Women
PSG offer support to fans after weapons found on coach
Why Ander Herrera is set to leave Manchester United for Paris Saint-Germain. Ander Herrera is expected to leave Man Utd at the end of the season after PSG capitalised to sign him on a free
NewsNow: Ander Herrera news | Breaking News 24/7
Roman Abramovich still loves and is passionate about owning Chelsea, says David Luiz 'I had the opportunity to talk with him last week, to decide my future. He loves the club and everything that is inside the club, not just the people.
Chelsea news: Abramovich still wants to win everything with
Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp insists remaining Anfield
Man City coach Pep Guardiola responds to Benjamin Mendy nightclub incident. Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy was seen in a Manchester nightclub at 3.30am on Saturday morning
Manchester City news: Why Pep Guardiola 'sometimes wants to
Arsenal boss Unai Emery insists his side can still secure a top-four spot in the Premier League despite their insipid 3-1 defeat to Wolves on Wednesday.. Ruben Neves, Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota
Wolves 3-1 Arsenal: Unai Emery still optimistic of Champions
Manchester United are prepared to let Romelu Lukaku leave if a club pays close to £80million for him, according to reports. New Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte is believed to be eyeing a big-money
Report: Inter Milan, Man United to discuss Lukaku, Perisic
Magui Alcacer, girlfriend, Giovani Lo Celso. He only joined Betis on a permanent basis last month when the club paid a £19.8m transfer fee to PSG following a standout season on loan. In 45 games, Lo Celso racked up 16 goals and made six assists, and has been named alongside Lionel Messi in Argentina's 2019 Copa America squad this summer.
Breaking news: Tottenham make £53 million bid for Giovani Lo
No comments:
Post a Comment