Being A Victim Of Racial Harassment After The Fiorentina Vs Napoli Game, Koulibaly: I Was Called A Monkey
JAKARTA - Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly took to social media to reveal that he was racially abused after Sunday's game against Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi.
The incident occurred as visitors Victor Osimhen, Andre Zambo Anguissa and Koulibaly headed into the dressing room, shortly after Napoli's 2-1 comeback win over La Viola.
"They call me a fucking monkey," Koulibaly wrote on Twitter.
"These people have nothing to do with sports. You have to identify them and keep them away from any events."
According to the Italian press, Osimhen and Anguissa ironically smiled at the fans who racially abused them, but Koulibaly responded.
"What are you calling me for?" asked the Napoli defender.
"Monkey? Come and say it in front of me."
«Scimmia di merda». «Putain de singe».«Fucking monkey».Mi hanno chiamato così. Questi soggetti non c'entrano con lo sport. Vanno identificati e tenuti fuori dagli stadi: per semper.🤜🏿 #KK #NoToRacism @mattinodinapoli pic.twitter.com/mPz0vZJ5c0
— Koulibaly Kalidou (@kkoulibaly26) October 4, 2021
Although witnesses to the incident tried to calm things down and Fiorentina apologized to Koulibaly, the federal prosecutor's office is investigating the incident.
"Talk to your kids, your parents, make them understand how disgusting it is to hate someone for the color of their skin," Osimhen wrote on social media after the game.
This is not the first case of racism to have occurred in a Serie A game this season. In fact, three weeks ago, a Juventus fan racially abused AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan during a match between the two teams.
Juventus used Allianz Stadium cameras to locate the individual and were banned from entering the stadium for life.
AC Milan also made a post on Twitter to express their anxiety about the incident that occurred at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
There's no place for racism in football, in society, anywhere.Let's keep fighting for equality and inclusion.Non ci deve essere spazio per il razzismo.Continuiamo a combattere uniti, a sostegno dell'uguaglianza sociale e dell'inclusione.#WeRespAct https: //t.co/sJiV1VWh5E
— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 4, 2021