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Napoli players staged a protest by taking a knee ahead of their Serie A fixture against Atalanta
Napoli players made a powerful statement against racism ahead of their match against Atalanta, opting to take the knee amidst ongoing controversy surrounding alleged racist remarks in Serie A.
Acerbi-Juan Jesus Controversy
The recent weeks have been marked by controversy over alleged racist comments made by Inter defender Francesco Acerbi towards Juan Jesus, with the FIGC clearing Acerbi due to lack of evidence.
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17:00 - 26.03.2024
Inter defender accused of racism against Osimhen's teammate escapes sanction, acquitted by Italian judge
Francesco Acerbi has been acquitted of charges of racism against Napoli defender Juan Jesus
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22:47 - 26.03.2024
Napoli slam Serie A for not punishing Acerbi over alleged racism
Napoli's scathing criticism of Serie A's failure to punish Acerbi for alleged racism against Brazilian defender Juan Jesus.
Napoli's decision not to adhere to the 'official' Lega Serie A anti-racism campaign served as a response to this decision, sparking their own initiative against racism.
Napoli's Independent Anti-Racism Campaign
In defiance of the league's stance, Napoli scrapped the 'Keep Racism Out' patch worn by other teams and launched their own anti-racism campaign. Before kick-off, a message was delivered by speaker Decibel Bellini, actor Marco D’Amore, and Under-15 Napoli player Mane Seik, emphasizing the club's stance against racism. The crowd at the Stadio Maradona echoed their sentiment with chants of "NO to Racism."
Mauro Meluso, Napoli's director of sport, expressed the club's disappointment with the handling of the Acerbi-Juan Jesus situation and their decision to withdraw from institutional anti-racism initiatives. Meluso emphasized the need for actions beyond mere apologies in combating racism.
Symbolism behind taking the knee
Ahead of the match, Napoli players took the knee during the Lega Serie A anthem, symbolizing their solidarity and determination to combat racism. The gesture, borrowed from the Black Lives Matter protests and adopted widely in the Premier League, served as a pointed response to the authorities' handling of the racism issue in Serie A.
Napoli's defiant actions ahead of the Atalanta match underscored their commitment to fighting racism in football. By refusing to adhere to institutional campaigns and launching their own initiatives, Napoli sent a clear message that mere apologies are not enough in addressing systemic issues of racism. The symbolic act of taking the knee served as a visible reminder of the ongoing battle against injustice in the sport.
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