TURIN • Teammates are supposed to have each other's backs, but Leonardo Bonucci evidently thinks otherwise.
Rising starlet Moise Kean, who notched his first two goals for Italy during the international break as the Azzurri opened their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with two straight victories, fired home his fourth league goal this season to seal Juventus' 2-0 win at Cagliari on Tuesday.
While the 19-year-old and teammates Blaise Matuidi and Alex Sandro had been targeted by monkey chants throughout the game, the noises increased in intensity after the forward celebrated his goal by standing in front of the home fans with outstretched arms.
Kean, who was born in Vercelli to Ivorian parents, later stood by his actions, posting on his Instagram page that it was "the best way to respond to racism".
But Bonucci, who opened the scoring, told Sky Italia that as he had incited the crowd, "the blame is 50-50".
The Italy defender said: "Kean knows that when he scores a goal, he has to focus on celebrating with his teammates.
"He knows he could've done something differently, too. Moise shouldn't have done that and the Curva (Cagliari fans) should not have reacted that way.
"We are professionals, we have to set the example and not provoke anyone."
Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini also described criticism of his team's supporters as "self-righteousness", while labelling Matuidi as a "drama queen".
Bonucci's comments, however, drew swift condemnation on social media and from fellow footballers including Memphis Depay and Christian Benteke.
Raheem Sterling, who has also been the subject of racist abuse while playing for both Manchester City and England, posted in response on his Instagram page that "all you can do now is laugh".
Juve midfielder Miralem Pjanic rejected Bonucci's insinuations, telling Football-Italia that taunts have "no place in football", while Matuidi also tweeted his support, using the hashtag #NoToRacism.
The abuse came on the same day that Aleksander Ceferin, president of European football governing body Uefa, said that he was "ashamed" by the spate of incidents - most recently when England played in Montenegro last week. He urged officials to "not to be afraid to act" to stop a match if things get out of order.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
LIVERPOOL, England (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp concedes he faces a selection dilemma as centre back Dejan Lovren is unlikely to feature against Bayern Munich in Tuesday's (Feb 19
Liverpool's Lovren unlikely to face Bayern, says Klopp
Hakeem Al Araibi (Reuters pic) DUBAI: FIFA says it has been in regular contact with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the Bahraini soccer player arrested in Thailand in November over a
Football: Fifa says it's in regular contact with AFC over
sportsloveme.com/soccer/football-fifa-says-its-in-regular-contact-with-afc-over-detained-bahraini-player/
Football: Fifa says it's in regular contact with AFC over detained Bahraini player 01/17/2019 FIFA , FOOTBALL MATCHES , HAKEEM DUBAI (REUTERS) - Fifa says it has been in regular contact with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the Bahraini footballer arrested in Thailand in November over a prison sentence in his homeland.
FIFA says in regular contact with AFC over detained refugee
Deeney, Deulofeu seal Watford win at West Ham. Watford brought West Ham United's streak of Premier League success to an abrupt halt with a surprise 2-0 win at the London Stadium on Saturday.
West Ham 0-2 Watford: Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu send
Racist chanting was directed at several black England players, including Danny Rose, during Monday's Euro 2020 qualifier in Podgorica, which England won 5-1. England captain Kane, 25, who scored in the match, believes the manner of his side's victory was the "best way of proving those people wrong".
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes - The Citizen
Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has been given a one-match ban by the Football Association for improper conduct after sarcastically Palace's Zaha banned for referee sarcastic clap. Agence
Chelsea star Willian has been chosen to replace Neymar after the forward was forced out of Brazil's Copa America plans. Willian replaces injured Neymar in Brazil Copa America squad | Goal.com
Willian to replace Neymar in Brazil's Copa America squad
starrsportsgh.com/2019/06/willian-to-replace-neymar-in-brazils-copa-america-squad/
Brazil have called up Chelsea forward Willian to replace the injured Neymar for this month's Copa America, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Friday. Neymar withdrew from the squad on Thursday after rupturing ligaments in his right ankle near the start of Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Qatar the night before.
Willian to replace Neymar in Brazil's Copa America squad
City and Liverpool leave chasing pack facing tough summer. to dethrone Manchester City as Premier League champions ended in of the table they are far ahead of the chasing pack," he said.
City and Liverpool leave chasing pack facing tough summer
Football: Fandi Ahmad rues missed chances in U-22s' 1-1 draw with Hong Kong in opening AFC Under-23 qualifier Singapore's Young Lions training at the Geylang field on Feb 25, 2019. ST PHOTO
Fandi rues missed chances in 1-1 draw - theworldnews.net
Football: Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash Liechtenstein The Straits Times Stefano Sensi, Marco Verratti and Leonardo Pavoletti also found the net.
Liechtenstein News, Stats, Fixtures and Results - Yahoo Sports
London (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blamed Manchester United's lack of ruthlessness as the Norwegian suffered his first domestic defeat as caretaker manager in a 2-0 loss at Arsenal on Sunday
Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen