After Acerbi’s acquittal: Juan Jesus “very bitter”

Football professional Juan Jesus from SSC Napoli was stunned after Francesco Acerbi was acquitted of the accusation of racist insults.

March 28, 2024

From: dpa

The 32-year-old Brazilian wrote in a letter on Wednesday that he read several times with great regret the verdict in which the sports judge took the view that there was no evidence that he had been the victim of racist insults during a Serie A game Notice. “That is an assessment that I respect, but which I find difficult to understand and which leaves me very bitter.”

In the Serie A game between Inter and SSC Napoli in mid-March, Acerbi is said to have racially insulted his opponent Juan Jesus. The Inter defender later vehemently denied the accusation. A verbal exchange of blows between the two followed for more than a week. Jesus rejected Acerbi's account and renewed the accusation of racism against the Italian international. However, a sports judge from the Italian football league acquitted the 36-year-old Acerbi of the racism accusation on Tuesday due to a lack of evidence.

Juan Jesus (left) and Francesco Aberbi clashed. © ANSA / FRAME TRATTO DA DAZN

“I did not expect such an outcome, which, I fear – but I hope I am wrong – could set a serious precedent for the subsequent justification of certain behaviors,” Jesus emphasized. He fears that after this decision, those in his situation will act very differently to protect themselves and try to contain the “shame of racism, which, unfortunately, will be difficult to disappear.”

After the verdict, Jesus was “really disappointed with the outcome of this serious incident.” “I sincerely hope that this, for me, sad matter can help the entire football world to reflect on such a serious and urgent issue,” he continued. SSC Napoli also appeared irritated by the sports judge's decision and announced that it would not take part in the Serie A campaign against racism “Keep racism out”.

Schlagwörter: Soccer Serie A Rassismus