Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has voiced his support for two Lecce players who were subjected to racial chants during an Italian Serie A game on Wednesday, urging supporters to “shut up all the racists.”
French defender Samuel Umtiti and Zambian forward Lameck Banda experienced racial taunts during the match between Lecce and Lazio.
Under an Instagram post with pictures of two players, Infantino wrote: “Solidarity with Samuel Umtiti and Lameck Banda – let’s shout it loud and clear: NO TO RACISM!
“May the huge majority of fans, who are good people, stand up to shut up all the racists once and for all!”
FIFA’s Gianni Infantino called on fans to do more after Lecce’s Samuel Umtiti and Lameck Banda were subjected to racial abuse. pic.twitter.com/ubRGdNDKda
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 5, 2023
Trending Stories: Juventus Clawing Their Way Back Into Serie A Title Race Despite Off-Field Instability
A tweet posted by Lecce’s official account after the game read: “The racist chants were drowned out by those of encouragement. All the Lecce fans started to shout one name – Samuel Umtiti.”
According to Italian media reports, Umtiti was in tears at the end of the match after his team came from behind to win 2-1. On the broadcast and in social media footage, Lecce supporters can be heard chanting his name after the final whistle was blown.
Umtiti himself responded to the FIFA president’s post online, writing: “Only football, pleasure and joy. The rest doesn’t matter.”
COMMENTS