Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly was subjected to alleged racist chanting during their Italian Serie A game against Inter Milan at San Siro on Sunday.
The Senegalese was later sent off for second bookable offense as Napoli, who went down 1-0 finished the game with nine players.
“I’m sorry about the defeat and especially to have let my brothers down,” the 27-year-old French-born stopper tweeted after the game.
“But I’m proud of the colour of my skin. To be French, Senegalese, Neapolitan and a man.”
Napoli’s left back Algerian left-back Faouzi Goulam posted a message of support. “It was painful to hear racist chants directed at my brother, what’s left is secondary, only sadness remains.
Koulibaly was sent off in a matter of seconds in the 80th minute for two bookable offences; first for a foul on Matteo Politano and second for sarcastically applauding the referee’s decision.
Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti, who tried to get the game stopped thrice unsuccessfully has pledged a walk off if a similar incident happened in future.
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“The next time we’ll stop playing, even if we lose the match,” said Ancelotti.
“What happened today is not good not only for us but also for Italian football as a whole,” the former Chelsea boss added.
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