Former AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli walked off the pitch during Brescia’s game away at Hellas Verona after allegedly suffering racist abuse.
Franck Kessie received a hostile reception from Verona fans back in August, with the general consensus being that it was racial abuse.
Verona hit back at those claims instead asking for ‘respect’ in a statement on their official Twitter account, claiming that the noises being made were boos and not ‘monkey chants’, and the Sporting Judge did not even mention any incident regarding Verona’s fans during the game against Milan.
However, Balotelli was also the subject of alleged racist abuse and took matters into his own hands by kicking a ball into the crowd and almost storming off the field.
He was eventually convinced by team-mates to continue with the game as the referee stopped proceedings in order for a message to be read out over the PA system.
Mario Balotelli kicks ball into crowd and walks off pitch following racist chanting from Hellas Verona fans. #NoToRacism pic.twitter.com/K08nSEelra
— Football HQ (@FootbaII_HQ) November 3, 2019
JUST IN:
BALOTELLI LEAVING THE PITCH ON HIS OWN IN VERONA AFTER KICKING BALL AWAY AFTER RACIST CHANTING COMING FROM THE STANDS— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) November 3, 2019
MARIO BALOTELLI IS STORMING OFF THE PITCH AFTER RACIST ABUSE FROM #VERONA FANS.
Liveblog https://t.co/moSL1zeykh #VeronaBrescia #SerieA
— footballitalia (@footballitalia) November 3, 2019
Mario Balotelli is making a stand in Italy.
Following racist abuse from Hellas Verona fans, Balotelli left the pitch and had the game temporarily suspended.
A statement was read to supporters before play continued. pic.twitter.com/IQyaJVMsTd
— Goal (@goal) November 3, 2019
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