Acquittal for Acerbi

After racism accusation: “We have all lost”

Francesco Acerbi (right) at the CL clash with Red Bull Salzburg(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Francesco Acerbi of Inter Milan has spoken out after being accused of racist insults and regretted the discussion of the past few days. "It's a matter in which we've all lost", the 36-year-old Italian told the daily newspaper "Corriere della Sera" (Friday). Juan Jesus of SSC Napoli had accused Acerbi of making racist insults at him in a Serie A match. Acerbi always denied the accusations.

After the Inter defender was acquitted by a sports judge on Tuesday due to a lack of evidence, he now wanted to speak his mind. "But without having anything against Juan Jesus. Quite the opposite, because I also feel very sorry for him," said Acerbi. "But you can't call someone a racist because of a misunderstood word in the excitement of the game."

Jesus stunned
During the league match between Inter Milan and Napoli in mid-March, Acerbi allegedly made a racist insult to his opponent Jesus. The incident sparked a discussion in Italy about racism in soccer. Jesus was stunned after Acerbi was acquitted. Although he respects the judge's assessment, it leaves him very bitter, said the 32-year-old Brazilian.

The verdict was a relief for Acerbi, but he was still sad about the whole situation, he said. It had been very difficult days for him. "Racism is unfortunately a serious matter, not an alleged insult," he said.