In the Italian Serie A, a football game has been interrupted again because of racist shouts of the audience. The match between Atalanta Bergamo and Fiorentina made referee Daniele Orsato take a break after half an hour for several minutes.
Florence professional Dalbert Henrique had approached the referee because he had previously been racially insulted by the opposing fans. Orsato let only continue playing after it was read about the stadium speakers that the game will be continued until the calls stop. After the announcement whistles were heard in the stadium.
Problems in Italian football
In Italy, games have been repeatedly interrupted in recent weeks because players have been racially insulted. During the game in Calgiari, inter-access Romelu Lukaku sounded monkey sounds and cudgels three weeks ago. Afterwards, fans of Lukaku's club caused outrage because they claimed in an open letter that this was not racism at all.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino spoke on Italian television. The situation is "very serious" and must be fought until racist chants cease, he told the station Rai.
Racism must be combated through education, condemnation and debate, Infantino said. "We can not have racism in society or in sport, in Italy the situation has not improved, and that is very serious, you have to identify those responsible and throw them out of the stadiums," he said. There should be no fear of condemning racists.
Ribery's premier gate
After the game interruption, former Bayern player Franck Ribéry scored his first goal for Florence. He converted a cross from the right in the right corner (66th minute). Previously, Federico Chiesa (24.) had taken the lead in Florence.
Paolo Magnini / EPA-EFE / REX
Nobody was in Bergamo for racist insults
However, it was not enough to win: Atalanta made it back with two late goals from Josip Ilicic (84) and Timothy Castagne (90 + 5). Florence remains bottom of the table due to the missed victory. Atalanta, who lost 4-0 to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League during the week, is sixth.
