Spalletti: ‘Acerbi denies racism, but Italy had to act’

Luciano Spalletti warns players must ‘pay attention to everything we say and do’ when representing the Italy squad after sending Francesco Acerbi home amid accusations of racism.

The upcoming friendly matches against Venezuela on Thursday and Ecuador on Sunday have been overshadowed by the controversy around Acerbi.

During Inter–Napoli, Juan Jesus told the referee that Acerbi had “called me a n***o” and later explained to DAZN that the Inter defender had apologised.

This prompted Spalletti and the FIGC to release Acerbi from international duty, although the Inter defender told reporters this evening he “certainly did not say anything racist.”

Spalletti held a press conference this evening and inevitably the first questions were about this situation.

“There was a statement we released and my thoughts are in there,” said the coach. “We all decided to do this together.

“I would not want to be in this position, but we have a responsibility of a sport that is very important for our nation. Considering what emerged, we have to act, even when things have not been entirely clarified.

“Francesco told me it was not an incident of racism. But we must always be careful about our behaviour, pay attention to everything we say and do. Especially when we are part of the Nazionale. The two hours we spend on the pitch are important, but so are the other 22 hours in the day when we get to represent the Nazionale.

“It is enormously disappointing when you have to make decisions on situations like this. We are all involved in it. Francesco was in a difficult situation and he is an important player for us.

“Nothing changes with regards to the strength of the team, but we are sad on a purely human level.”

Spalletti was the coach of Napoli for two years with Juan Jesus, so has he sought out the Brazilian’s side of the story?

“I tried calling, but his phone is switched off.”

If found guilty of using racist abuse, then Acerbi could face up to a 10-match Serie A ban.