After suffering racial abuse last week in a 3-1 away win at Hellas Verona, Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi says he was subject of yet more abuse in a 1-0 win at Cagliari on Saturday.
Serie A handed Hellas Verona a €20,000 fine and a one-year suspended sentence in the wake of the incident, meaning part of the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi will be closed if there is any further violation. The league has not officially announced anything yet against Cagliari.
“Today I experienced racism during the match,” Matuidi wrote in French, Italian, and English on his Facebook page. “Weak people try to intimidate with hate. I am not a hater and can only be sorry for those who set bad examples.
“Football is a way to spread equality, passion and inspiration and this is what I am here for. Peace.”
The incident reportedly took place just before halftime at the Sardegna Arena. Matuidi received a yellow card in the 42nd minute, although that was for a foul on Nicolò Barella. Juventus eventually won 1-0 on a goal scored by Federico Bernardeschi in the 74th minute.
Racial abuse in the Italian league is nothing new, and that sentiment was confirmed by Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger after his move to England from AS Roma.
