AC Milan on Monday called on the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to investigate the racist chants uttered on Sunday by Lazio fans against midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and other Milan players.
In a brief statement on their social networks, AC Milan announced that they had “filed a complaint” with the FIGC “to clarify the chants of the rival fans” during the match that the Lombards won 2-0 at San Siro on Sunday.
The statement comes after Bakayoko denounced this Monday that both he and his partner Franck Kessie were subjected to racist chants.
«For some Lazio fans and their racist screams against me and my brother Franck Kessie. We are strong and we are proud of our skin color, ”Bakayoko said in a post on Instagram.
Racist attacks on Italian stadiums have become a serious problem in recent seasons and Lazio is one of the worst reputable clubs in this regard, as many of its fans have relationships with the far right, a connection that is dates back to the 1970s.
But the supporters of the Roman club are not the only ones and in many stadiums rival black players are insulted by imitating monkeys.
In April 2019, Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci came under fire for claiming that the blame should be shared by “50%” when teammate Moise Kean confronted rival fans after receiving racist insults in Cagliari.
Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly and forward Mario Balotelli, among many others, were also subjected to insults and racist chants by rival fans.
In December 2019, Serie A had to apologize after using overalls in an anti-racist campaign.
Five years earlier, Carlo Tavecchio, who later became FIGC president, referred to African players as “banana eaters” in a speech at an assembly of Italian amateur football.(AFP)
AC Milan asks to investigate racist chants by Lazio fans
