World Football body, Fifa has directed the Italian football to mete out punishments to supporters guilty of racism.
Fifa’s President Gianni Infantino, handed down the charge on Monday following persistent racist chants during matches in Italy.
On Sunday, the game between Atalanta and Fiorentina had to be stopped briefly following reports of racists chanting.
Fiorentina’s Brazilian wing-back Dalbert had complained to the referee he had been the target of racist chanting and the Serie A match, which ended 2-2.
A day earlier, Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku faced the ordeal during their match with Cagliari. Though the team was eventually cleared over the offense, it was the third time it would be involved in such ugly affair. Lack of action against it had led to re-occurrence, making Fifa to step in an hand down the directive.
Past cases involved Moise Kean, the Italy forward now at Everton, and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi, Kean’s then Juventus team-mate.
According to Infantino: “You can’t have racism in society or in football. In Italy, the situation hasn’t improved.”
“Racism is combated with education, condemnation and discussion.
“You need to identify those responsible and throw them out of the stadiums. You need, as in England, the certainty of the penalty. You can’t be afraid to condemn racists, we need to combat them until they stop”
