ROME: Verona became the first Serie A club this season to be sanctioned for racism after fans in the south stand of the Bentegodi stadium targeted AC Milan’s Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari with abuse.
The Serie A club will now play their next home game, against Lazio on October 30, devoid of fans in their south stand. The club has also been handed a €50,000 fine, Serie A league officials announced on Tuesday.
Milan beat Verona 3-1 away last weekend, a result which left the Rossoneri in fourth place in the league table five points behind leaders Juventus.
However, league officials said in a statement Muntari was targeted by “around 3,000 fans who shouted uh, uh, uh noises” every time he touched the ball. The behaviour amounted to “clear racial discrimination”.
Serie A’s disciplinary body also hit Inter Milan with a fine of €30,000 under the league’s “territorial discrimination” laws.
Inter fans were heard shouting insults against Napoli, the city and its people during last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at the San Siro.
Fans also targeted the match referee and the Napoli goalkeeper Rafael with laser pens.
