Football lovers hope that racism will not prevail over goals and tackles when Juventus and AC Milan face off tomorrow in a top-billing quarter-final of the Italian Cup.
Boos and jeers from racist fringes aimed at black-skinned players are an unsolved issue in Italian football that made the news again as action resumed last week after a two-week winter break.
Milan’s Kevin-Prince Boateng tackled the matter head on last Thursday, kicking the ball into the stands and walking off the pitch in Busto Arsizio, where some fans of the local Pro Patria side repeatedly booed him and his teammates of African origin M’Baye Niang, Urby Emanuelson and Sulley Muntari.
The whole team promptly abandoned the friendly alongside Boateng, who promised he will leave any game in case of further abuse from the stands.
Milan president Silvio Berlusconi backed his footballer saying: “I assure you that in any game, including international ones, where episodes of this kind should take place, Milan will leave the pitch.”
Predictably, the problem did not surface on Sunday as Milan won 2-1 at home to Siena, but things could be different tomorrow in Turin at the Juventus Stadium, where the Rossoneri tackle Juve in the one-leg cup match.
Milan’s decision met mixed reactions, ranging from open praise from anti-racism organisations to criticism for putting a minority of uncivilised fans under the spotlight.
“Boateng made a mistake in leaving the pitch,” former Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf told BBC last week. “Doing this he gave importance to a small group who were at the stadium only to cause trouble.”
Comments from Italy’s Minister of Interior Anna Maria Cancellieri and football world body FIFA were similar to those of Seedorf, a Dutchman born in Suriname whose grandfather was the son of a slave.
A minor episode of racism took place on Sunday at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, where some fans of Lazio abused Cagliari’s Victor Ibarbo, but were promptly hissed to silence by the remainder of the stadium.
A new civility test awaits Lazio’s die-hard fans today in another cup quarter-final against Catania - a Sicily club who, like most Italian clubs, Lazio included, have black players in their roster.
Lazio are the favourites to advance to the cup semi-finals after rallying to beat nine-man Cagliari 2-1 and move within five points of Juve in the Serie A.
Juve’s year start was nightmarish as they on Sunday crashed 2-1 at home to lowly Sampdoria, who came from behind with 10 men. The Bianconeri are still top ahead of Lazio and look to bounce back despite the absence of Giorgio Chiellini and Claudio Marchisio.
Milan only partly convinced as they edged bottom side Siena and look at the cup as a way to improve a disappointing season that sees them sitting seventh at the half-way point.