FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a passionate plea for followers to “put an end to all forms of racism” after Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti and teammate Lameck Banda had been subjected to abhorrent racial abuse throughout their dwelling sport in opposition to Lazio on Wednesday.
Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported the match was paused for a number of minutes whereas an announcement was made within the stadium calling for the chants to be stopped.
Home followers chanted Umtiti’s title to drown out the abuse and Lecce President Saverio Sticchi Damiani mentioned the French World Cup winner, who’s on mortgage from Barcelona, had requested for the sport to renew.
Lecce got here from behind to win the Serie A sport 2-1, with Frenchman Umtiti leaving the pitch in tears.
“Racist insults were drowned out by choruses of encouragement towards our champion,” Lecce mentioned in an announcement.
Umtiti posted a message on Instagram saying: “Only football, fun, joy. The rest doesn’t count.”
Infantino confirmed his assist for Umtiti and Zambian Banda in a social media put up.
“Solidarity with Samuel Umtiti and Lameck Banda – let’s shout it loud and clear: No to racism,” he wrote as a caption to images 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.”
