To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Ancelotti Threatens Napoli To 'Walk Off' From Matches After Racial Abuse Against Koulibaly

Ancelotti Threatens Napoli To 'Walk Off' From Matches After Racial Abuse Against Koulibaly

Following on from the racial abuse that Kalidou Koulibaly received, Carlo Ancelotti has said Napoli would "walk off" from future matches.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti has issued a clear threat after Kalidou Koulibaly was the target of racial abuse during the Inter Milan match.

The 27-year-old Senegalese defender was booked for a challenge and was sent marching down the tunnel after turning to the referee and sarcastically applauding him for the booking.

During the match at the San Siro, the stadium speaker delivered three warnings that the match would be stopped if racist chants continued. However, the match continued and I Nerazzurri's Lautaro Martรญnez scored the late winner.

The former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss believes that racism has no place in football and that I Partenopei would not stand for it again.

"I asked the referee for information on the red cards and nothing else," he told Sky Sport Italia (via Football Italia).

"Those incidents rather decided the match, as we had done very well in the second half and were pushing hard.

"We even had the chance to win it when [we were] down to 10 men, but tempers were a little raised at the end.

PA

"There was a strange atmosphere, as we asked three times for play to be suspended, they had announcements with the speaker three times.

"Koulibaly was certainly irritable. Usually, he is very calm and professional, but he was subjected to monkey noises throughout the game.

"We asked three times for some action to be taken, but the match continued. We keep being told play can be halted, but when? After four or five announcements?

"Maybe we have to take matters into our own hands next time and stop play ourselves. They'll probably make us forfeit the game if we walk off, but we are prepared to do it.

"It's not good for Italian football, seeing this."

PA

Italian Football Federation prosecutor Giuseppe Pecoraro says that the match should have stopped after the racial chants directed towards Koulibaly.

"For me, Inter-Napoli should've been suspended for the racist chants towards Koulibaly," he told ANSA.

"In fact, those working in public prosecutor's office reported to stadium security officers and the fourth official that Napoli wanted the game to be stopped.

"The decision isn't up to us. Rather, the security officers must be in agreement with the referee.

"As far as we're concerned, communication of the incident to sporting judiciary is in progress."

PA

Koulibaly took to Twitter after the match to send a clear-cut message about the racist attack towards him.

"I'm disappointed by the defeat, but above all at leaving my brothers!" he tweeted.

"But I am proud of the colour of my skin. Proud to be French, Senegalese, Neapolitan: A Man."

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has also condemned the abuse, posting a photo on Instagram of him and Koulibaly and accompanying it with a powerful caption: "In the world and in football, always education and respect. No to racism and any offense or discrimination!"

PA

Earlier this month, Napoli revealed that they had rejected a ยฃ95m bid from Manchester United for Koulibaly. The former Genk star had also been a target for Barcelona.

However, Koulibaly has dealt a massive blow to both United and Barcelona after he signed a new deal with Napoli.



Agree with Ancelotti's approach?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics:ย Football News, Football, Carlo Ancelotti, Serie A, San Siro, Napoli, Kalidou Koulibaly, Inter Milan