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Main » 2013 » May » 29 » Chiellini demands end to racism

Chiellini demands end to racism

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini is desperate for the racist chanting which has plagued Serie A to be eradicated.
Racism from fans across Italy has been a major problem throughout the season, with AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri describing the country's culture as 'backward' on May 12.

Those comments came after Milan striker Mario Balotelli was racially abused during his side's clash against Roma and the referee stopped the game for a warning to be delivered via the San Siro's public address system.

Juventus player Chiellini said he was eager for the problem to be solved but also said personal insults would always be part of the game.

"If I hear a chant against Mario Balotelli – not a racist one but only one against him, like he could hear another one against me – it's wrong but we can both accept it," he said.

"Racist chanting cannot be accepted.

"We cannot make the decision to (leave) the pitch, as everyone has already said, referees included, because there are people there to make decisions on those matters for us and we need to follow their decisions.

"We are really determined to defeat the problem of racism and violence in stadiums, it would be great to defeat those problems and not only in sport and football but in our everyday lives."

Chiellini was speaking to reporters before Italy leave for the Confederations Cup, to be played in Brazil from June 15-30.

Italy are in Group A alongside Japan, Brazil and Mexico and Chiellini said he wants the country to win the competition for the first time.

"The strongest teams on each continent challenge for the Confederation Cup. It's a top level competition and we hope we can do our best because it's very important for our growth," he said.

"It hasn't the same value of a World Cup, but it would be great to win it anyway. We have already played four years ago, and I was there.

"We didn't face the competition with the same focus and determination we face at a European Cup or a World Cup and it was a negative moment for us that didn't make the team any good and didn't help it in view of the World Cup."

Pablo Osvaldo has been dropped from the Italy squad after breaking the team's code of ethics when he insulted Roma coach Aurelio Andreazzoli.

Osvaldo labelled Andreazzoli 'incompetent' on Twitter after the coach started him on the bench for Roma's 1-0 loss to Lazio in the Coppa Italia final.
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