RomecTypeface:> The Italian football federation FIGC on Tuesday dropped a probe into alleged racist comments made by Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi due to lack of evidence, the Serie A said in a statement. There was no “external, direct and indirect evidence and circumstantial evidence, not even in the form of witness statements” for Acerbi’s alleged “seriously discriminatory” insult towards Napoli player Juan Jesus, the league said. Acerbi faced a possible 10-match suspension which would end his season with Inter and could have ruled him out of the Euros which start on June 14. Acerbi allegedly abused Jesus during their 1-1 Serie A draw on March 17 at San Siro and the issue was being probed by sporting justice authorities. In connection with the alleged racist incident, the Inter defender left the Italy squad before the friendly internationals against Venezuela last Thursday and Ecuador last Sunday. The FIGC said that Acerbi had given his version of the incident to coach Luciano Spalletti and his team-mates and that from his point there was “no defamatory, denigrating or racist intent. “However, it was agreed that Acerbi should be left out of the squad for the next two friendlies scheduled in United States in order to let things settle for the national team and the player himself, who will return to his club today,” FIGC said. (dpa)
