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Sunday’s Serie A match between Juventus and Fiorentina in Turin was disrupted by racist abuse directed at Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, leading to a temporary suspension of play. The incident occurred just seven minutes into the game when referee Maurizio Mariani halted proceedings after Fiorentina fans reportedly targeted Vlahovic, a former Fiorentina player, with discriminatory chants.
A public announcement at Allianz Stadium warned that the match could be permanently suspended if the abuse continued. Players from both teams gathered in the center of the pitch during the interruption, and play resumed after a two-minute delay.
Vlahovic, a 24-year-old Serbian international, joined Juventus in 2022 after playing for Fiorentina from 2018 to 2022. Since his move, he has frequently faced hostility from sections of Fiorentina supporters. In November 2023, Fiorentina had already received a suspended one-match stadium ban for discriminatory chants directed at Juventus players, including Vlahovic.
The incident overshadowed a significant day in Serie A. Napoli secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Venezia, drawing level on points with league leaders Atalanta. Giacomo Raspadori’s late goal, capitalizing on a defensive error, ensured Napoli’s third consecutive win.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte praised his team’s progress, saying, “Nobody expected us to reach 41 points after 18 matches, but we must keep improving. We’re still developing.”
Elsewhere, Inter Milan’s commanding 3-0 win over Cagliari on Saturday placed them third in the standings, just one point behind Napoli and Atalanta with a game in hand. Napoli now have the opportunity to take sole leadership of Serie A when they face Fiorentina next weekend. Meanwhile, Atalanta and Inter are set to clash in the Italian Supercup in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the on-field drama and competitive league standings, the spotlight remains on the continued issue of racism in football. Sunday’s events highlight the ongoing challenge of eradicating discriminatory behavior from the sport, as authorities and clubs strive to enforce stricter measures to ensure a more inclusive environment for players and fans alike.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay / jorono
