Racism In Italy: Dybala calls for 'tougher punishments' or 'players will take measures'

Racist abuse forces Mario Balotelli walk off threat. According to as.com, the Brescia striker was subject to racist abuse from a sector of the Hellas Verona supporters during the Serie A contest at the Bentegodi stadium. Photo: FilippoVenezia via as.com

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has warned the Federcalcio that players will take ‘measures into our own hands’ if no action will be taken against racism in Italian stadiums.


The Argentine ace gave an in-depth interview with CNN ahead of the resumption behind closed doors and recalled the ugly scenes when former teammate Moise Kean was targeted by racial abuse during an away game against Cagliari.

He also pointed to similar incidents with Miralem Pjanic and Brescia forward Mario Balotelli.

“It really wasn’t easy for him,” Dybala told CNN. “I have experienced various situations of racism with other Juventus teammates in other stadiums.

“Many Italian stadiums have certain racism against some players. It has also happened to Mario Balotelli, it has also happened to [Miralem] Pjanic in a match against Brescia and I think that Italian punishments should be tougher.

“If not, then it will be us players who will have to take measures into our own hands so that this doesn’t continue to happen, because we are talking about one of the biggest championships in the world, where millions of people are watching and if they see that there is racism and no action is taken, people get emboldened and continue doing it.”

“As happened many times in the past, many players are deciding to leave the pitch or not play and it seems to me a perfect decision. Or, as the referees have done many times in the past, stop the match so that these people don’t continue committing that crime.”
Football-Italia