(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 30 - Napoli took the knee against racism
before their Serie A match against Atalanta at the Maradona
Stadium on Saturday.
The private initiative came after the side on Tuesday blasted
Inter's
Italy defender Francesco Acerbi's acquittal of using a racist
slur against their Brazil defender Juan Jesus for lack of
evidence despite the Brazilian saying he had been called a
negro.
"We remain astonished. Napoli will no longer adhere to mere
façade initiatives of football institutions against racism and
discrimination, we will continue to do them on our own, as we
have always done, with renewed conviction and determination",
the Azzurri said in a statement on that occasion.
Before Saturday's match Caserta-born actor and director Marco
D'Amore took the microphone to tell fans: "Our eyes have seen
too much, our ears have heard too much, but this is no longer
the time for indifference and disregard; Naples make your voice
heard without shame or fear, let's say all together 'no to
racism'".
Next to D'Amore stood Mohamed Seick Mane, one of Napoli's youth
players.
As the actor spoke the ads next to the field were replaced by
the words 'No to racism' on a black background. (ANSA).
Soccer: Napoli kneel in protest against racism
Private initiative in protest at acquittal of Inter's Acerbi