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| Lippi takes Juventus' side |
Wednesday 22 April, 2009 |
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Italy boss Marcello Lippi believes Inter hitman Mario Balotelli wasn't the victim of racist abuse from the Juventus fans.
The Bianconeri have been ordered to play their May 3 game against Lecce behind closed doors after fans jeered and chanted at Balotelli.
But Juventus' Ultras have claimed that their insults weren't racially motivated and Lippi agrees.
“In my opinion the problem is far less serious than it has been reported to be,” Lippi said on Sky Sport Italia.
“If it was a racist incident then the fans would have chanted at Sulley Muntari and Patrick Vieira. Turin has never been a racist city.
“I think it was just ignorance and people were looking to offend Mario not related to the colour of his skin.”
Juve are waiting for the result of an appeal against the fan ban.
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Ultras to Balotelli: "We're not racist"
Juventus ultras group Drughi have released a statement explaining why their insults towards Mario Balotelli "weren't racism and we won't apologise." More |
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