Acerbi to miss Italy friendlies after alleged racist incident
Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has left the national team squad for upcoming friendly internationals in connection with an alleged racist incident.
The national federation FIGC said on Monday that Roma's Gianluca Mancini has been called up in his place.
European champions Italy leave for the US on Tuesday and play Venezuela on Thursday in Fort Lauderdale and Ecuador in Harrison, New York, on Sunday.
Acerbi allegedly abused Napoli player Juan Jesus during their 1-1 Serie A draw on Sunday night at San Siro and the issue is being probed by sporting justice authorities.
The FIFC said that he gave his version of the incident to coach Luciano Spalletti and his team-mates and that from his point there was "no defamatory, denigrating or racist intent.
"However, it was agreed that Acerbi should be left out of the squad for the next two friendlies scheduled in the United States in order to let things settle for the national team and the player himself, who will return to his club today," the FIGC said.
Inter said in a statement that it "takes note of the official statement released by the FIGC in relation to the events involving Francesco Acerbi during last night's match against Napoli, and of the fact that FIGC and Acerbi have agreed that the player will not be involved in the national team's next two friendlies scheduled in the United States.
"FC Internazionale Milano will meet with the player as soon as possible to shed light on the exact details of what happened last night."
Jesus did not comment on the incidents after the game in which he scored a late equalizer for title holders Napoli.
"What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch," the Brazilian told streaming portal DAZN. "Acerbi has apologised, he went a bit too far with his words. He's a good guy."
