Racism: Serie B Player Gets 10-Match Ban For Using The Phrase “The Revolt Of The Slaves” On Nigeria's Obi.
A player of Pisa in the Italian Serie B, Michele Marconi has been handed a 10-match ban for racially abusing Nigeria and Chevio Verona midfielder, Joel Obi.
Marconi, who had been cleared of the charge after the first hearing in March, now will serve the punishment after being found guilty of using the phrase “the revolt of the slaves” during a game week 14 tie that ended 2-2 at Arena Garibaldi - Romeo Anconetani Stadium, Pisa on December 22.
Recall that Chievo had robustly supported Obi at the time, insisting the Marconi used the phrase on the former Inter Milan and Parma player following a challenge on the pitch.
The Nigerian had expressed his disappointment during a chat to Italian online magazine, Athleta, which quoted him as saying, “When I heard that phrase, my mind just went for a few minutes, asking myself if I’d really heard it. I kept playing, but my focus was elsewhere. It’s incredible that someone could use words like that today, especially with all the efforts people are making to weaken the ‘disease’ of racism.”
Racism remains a recurring decimal in Italian football, but it was the first time Obi, who has played most of his club football in the country will be a target of racial abuse, having laced boots for Inter Milan, Parma, Torino and Chievo, with a brief stint with Alanyaspor of Turkey in 2019 being the only time spent outside of Italy.
Content created and supplied by: Godaik (via Opera News )
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