Ciro Immobile says Mario Balotelli has reacted calmly to the reported racial abuse he suffered during Italy training this morning.
Ciro Immobile says Mario Balotelli has reacted calmly to the reported racial abuse he suffered during Italy training this morning.
The incident took place at Coverciano, where Cesare Prandelli’s Azzurri provisional World Cup squad are continuing their preparations for Brazil.
At a Press conference this afternoon, the 24-year-old forward called for an end to racism in Italy, saying it has no place in this day and age.
“I haven’t spoken to Mario about the abuse,” Immobile said. “Just because with Mario, who I find a great guy, I don’t want to talk about these kinds of things.
“I think he agrees with me. We don’t give it too much importance. In 2014 we can’t still be talking about racism.
“There are still these stories about racism towards black people, Neopolitans and people of an oriental background. We need to improve in this aspect.
“Fortunately, Mario has been very calm about it. Everything that has been said about it within the group, he has respected greatly.
“We know that it is a serious issue, but we don’t want to talk about it because otherwise you put your finger on it and our country suffers. We need to try to do something to ensure it doesn’t happen anymore.
“Shame? I’m not ashamed to be Italian, but it makes me sad when these things happen, such as the anti-Neopolitan chants. My city means a lot to me.”