FIFA President Gianni Infantino called on fans to “shut up all the racists” after Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti and team mate Lameck Banda were subjected to racial abuse during their home game against Lazio on Wednesday.
Home fans chanted Umtiti’s name to drown out the abuse and Lecce President Saverio Sticchi Damiani said the French World Cup winner, who is on loan from Barcelona, had asked for the game to resume.
Lecce came from behind to win the Serie A game 2-1, with Frenchman Umtiti leaving the pitch in tears.
“Racist insults were drowned out by choruses of encouragement towards our champion,” Lecce said in a statement.
Umtiti posted a message on Instagram saying: “Only football, fun, joy. The rest doesn’t count.”
Infantino showed his support for Umtiti and Zambian Banda in a social media post.
“Solidarity with Samuel Umtiti and Lameck Banda – let’s shout it loud and clear: No to racism,” he wrote as a caption to photos of Umtiti and Banda.
“May the huge majority of fans, who are good people, stand up to shut up all the racists once and for all.”
Meanwhile, an injured Nick Kyrgios on Thursday pulled out of next week’s Adelaide International II, but his team insisted he was in “no doubt” for the Australian Open.
It is the second straight tournament the temperamental tennis star has withdrawn from after his no-show for the ongoing mixed-teams United Cup event in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth due to an ankle issue.
“We know that the Adelaide International was a key lead-up event for Nick, and I know he is disappointed to not be able to play in Adelaide this year,” tournament director Alistair MacDonald said. “We wish him well for the Australian Open.”
There are two ATP-WA Adelaide Internationals this month, with Novak Djokovic headlining the first one this week.
Kyrgios was due to play in the second next week, alongside the likes of Andrey Rublev, Lorenzo Musetti and Dan Evans.
Kyrgios’ manager, Daniel Horsfall, told the Melbourne Age newspaper the decision to not play was made in consultation with his physiotherapist.
