Search icon

Sport

07th Jan 2018

Blaise Matuidi suffered racist abuse in match against Cagliari

It's the second time in recent weeks

Reuben Pinder

It’s the second incident in recent weeks.

Blaise Matuidi spoke out last night about the racist abuse he received during Juventus’ win over Cagliari this Saturday.

The midfielder spoke with great maturity on social media after the game when explaining the incident, refusing to rise to the bait of the perpetrators. On his Facebook account, he issued a statement in French, Italian and English, hitting out at “weak people” who “try to intimidate with hate.”

“Today I experienced racism during the match. Weak people try to intimidate with hate. I am not a hater and can only be sorry for those who set bad examples. Football is a way to spread equality, passion and inspiration and this is what I am here for. Peace.”

It’s the second time in recent weeks the Frenchman has been racially abused during a match. The last incident occurred during Juventus’ 3-1 win over Verona on December 30th.

Verona received a partial stadium ban and a fine of €20,000 for the ‘chants expressing racial discrimination’ that Matuidi suffered on 30th December.

Neither Cagliari nor Serie A have issued a statement thus far on the matter. One would expect the league to follow the example it set with the punishment for Verona fans just a week prior to this incident.

https://www.facebook.com/BlaiseMatuidiOfficiel/posts/1688363701227866