Serie A - Juventus lose racism appeal

Eurosport - Tue, 28 Apr 16:42:00 2009

Juventus will play their Serie A match at home to Lecce behind closed doors after losing an appeal.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Serie A Juventus-Inter Molinaro Tiago Balotelli Buffon - 0

The Italian league imposed the sanction last week after a section of Juve fans repeatedly racially abused Internazionale striker Mario Balotelli in a 1-1 draw in Turin earlier this month.

The Italian FA, which is battling to stamp out a racism problem among fans, said that Juve's appeal had been rejected and that Sunday's game at would have no spectators.

The club were criticised in the media for trying to overturn the ban amid pressure from some supporters, who said Juve were being singled out when incidents of racism at other clubs were only punished with fines.

The Turin club were demoted to Serie B in 2006 for their role in a match-fixing scandal.

A group of Juve fans have slammed club bosses and coach Claudio Ranieri in a number of recent protests after the side slipped back to third in Serie A and were dumped out of the Italian Cup semi-final by Lazio.

Chief Executive Jean Claude Blanc has given his backing to Ranieri but media speculation about his possible departure has been rife with Italy coach and former Juve boss Marcello Lippi linked with a return after the 2010 World Cup.

Reuters

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  1. Earthquakes racism, Karma?

    From zehst, on Wed 29 Apr 11:42AM

  2. A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

    The Italian FA are right­ to uphold this ban.

    I can understand Juve's view­ that it wasnt a verbal attack becuase he is black, it­ was an verbal attack because he is arrogant. ­ Unfortunately even to use the colour of somebody's­ skin in a chant has no place in today's­ society.

    There are far greater problems in Italian­ football than this, but the the Italian FA has made a­ step in the right direction.

    VM2k9

    From sdmoores, on Tue 28 Apr 4:58PM

  3. typical racist italians!

    From Bobo S, on Tue 28 Apr 4:54PM
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