Inter defender Francesco Acerbi was heard by FIGC prosecutors on Friday as part of an investigation into accusations made by Napoli’s Juan Jesus after a headline-making exchange between the two players during a Serie A meeting between the two sides prior to the international break. 

Acerbi was accused by Juan Jesus of using racist language during the 1-1 draw between Inter and Napoli in San Siro last weekend. 

Both players have since given their version of events to FIGC prosecutor Giuseppe Chine, who is expected to deliver his verdict in the early stages of next week, either on Monday or Tuesday according to recent reports. 

Acerbi was removed from the Italy national team squad ahead of the team’s trip to the United States this week as a result of the incident last Sunday. 

The experienced centre-back has been training as usual with the rest of the Inter players who were not called up for international duty. On Friday, upon the completion of the Nerazzurri session, Acerbi spent over an hour on a conference call with the FIGC prosecutors. 

According to reports from Calciomercato.com and Il Corriere della Sera on Saturday morning, Acerbi admitted that he had used the word ‘black’, but not in a derogatory sense. 

Saturday’s reports suggest that the FIGC have been unable to find audio evidence of the exchange between Acerbi and Juan Jesus. 

If the FIGC rule that Acerbi has breached article 28 of the code of sporting justice, he could face a suspension of around 10 matches. 

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