Vlahovic’s Yellow Card Sends Wrong Racism Message in Italy After Lukaku’s Incident

• Dusan Vlahovic endured a difficult time in Bergamo during Juventus’ 2-0 win over Atalanta
• The Serbian was the subject of racial slurs from the home fans in his 35 minutes on the pitch
• He scored the second goal in the closing minutes of the game but was booked for his celebration

Italian football sends a wrong message on racism after the latest round of racist chants towards Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in Bergamo.

Juventus took on Atalanta in a crucial game for both teams as they jostled for a top-four finish to secure UEFA Champions League football next season.

Young English striker Samuel Iling Junior scored his debut goal after Massimiliano Allegri handed him a start before Serbian striker Vlahovic came off the bench to score the second.

As reported by CBS Sports, the 23-year-old endured a difficult afternoon as the Atalanta fans made racial chants at him throughout the game.

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Football

Vlahovic penalised for goal celebration

According to Football Italia, the former Fiorentina striker made a silent celebration to the Atalanta fans due to their non-stop abuse, but referee, Daniele Doveri, booked him for the celebration.

It is the second time in recent weeks that a player has been booked for responding to racist chants. Romelu Lukaku was sent off for a second yellow card after responding to Juventus fans during the Coppa Italia semi-final.

Gasperini’s controversial comments

Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini attracted the wrath of football fans by appearing to downplay the incident because Atalanta also have two Serbian players in the team.

“I’ve already said that we have players like Pasalic and Djimsiti on the field. Not everything is racism, sometimes it’s also individual things. It’s like being insulted in a stadium, it’s more rude than racism. If it were racism, Pasalic would also be insulted because it is going to affect the whole ethnic group,” he said, as quoted by Tutto Mercato.

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Football

FIFA president supports Vlahovic

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has sent a message of support to Vlahovic while calling on Italian football to react to the incident appropriately.

As against Gasperini’s comments, Infantino claimed it is not an isolated incident, according to a statement on his official Instagram page.

Mourinho defends Stankovic

Sports Brief reported that Jose Mourinho stopped racist Roma fans after they made racial slurs towards Sampdoria manager Dejan Stankovic.

The Serbian was Mourinho’s former player during his treble-winning tenure at Inter Milan. The Special One’s intervention helped reduce Roma’s punishment.