“I’m disappointed by the defeat and above all to have left my brothers,” said Koulibaly
Inter Milan will play two Serie A home matches behind closed doors as punishment for the racist chants directed towards the Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Koulibaly was subjected to monkey noises from the crowd several times during Inter’s 1-0 win at the San Siro on Wednesday, leading Napoli to ask for the match to be halted, without success. Inter will also have to play another game with their North Stand closed.
In its statement, the league’s disciplinary body mentioned “offensive songs of a racist nature towards Kalidou Koulibaly”, but also “insulting songs of a territorial nature” towards Napoli fans.
Koulibaly was also handed a two-match ban by Serie A’s disciplinary tribunal after he was sent off in the 81st minute for sarcastically applauding the referee for booking him. Napoli said on their club website that the Senegalese player was subject to “racist chants” during the match, without giving further details, while their coach Carlo Ancelotti said some fans made animal noises throughout the entire game. In addition to the next two home matches against Benevento, in the Italian Cup, and Sassuolo in Serie A being staged behind closed doors, the section of the San Siro stadium occupied by Inter’s “ultra” fans has also been ordered to be kept closed for a third game in the league against Bologna.
“It was a shameful act against a respected athlete, who proudly bears the colour of his skin, and also, to a lesser degree, against the many people who go to the stadium to support their team and be with their friends.”-Giuseppe Sala said.
Mi dispiace la sconfitta e sopratutto avere lasciato i miei fratelli!
Però sono orgoglioso del colore della mia pelle. Di essere francese, senegalese, napoletano: uomo.⚽ #InterNapoli 1-0
🇸🇳 #KK26 #famiglia
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre
💪🏿 #DifendoLaCittà pic.twitter.com/f9q0KYggcw— Koulibaly Kalidou (@kkoulibaly26) December 26, 2018
Koulibaly tweeted – I’m sorry for the defeat and above all to have left my brothers! But I’m proud of the color of my skin. To be French, Senegalese, Neapolitan: man
