The issue of racial discrimination broke out again in Italian professional football Serie A, which is notorious for issues related to racism.

According to Italy’s ANSA news agency, Lecce defender Samuel Umtiti was racially discriminated against by visiting fans during a Serie A home game against Lazio on the 4th (local time).

The racist slogans continued in the away cheerleaders to the point that the referee stopped the game at one point in the second half, and Umtiti left the ground in tears after the game ended.

Umtiti is a French Cameroonian who led France to victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Umtiti, who was leased from Barcelona to Lecce, is said to have asked the referee to resume the game, even considering canceling the entire match.

Not only Umtiti, but Lecce’s Zambian striker Lamek Banda has also been the target of racist attacks from away fans.

However, local media reported that the away fans’ racist 스포츠토토 slogans were buried in the enthusiastic encouragement and support of the Lecce home fans. The home fans gave Umtiti a standing ovation as he left the ground.

After winning the game 2-1, the Lecce club chanted the name of Umtiti through the official Twitter account and thanked the home fans for standing up against racism.

“Let’s shout ‘No to racism’ loud and clear,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.

Racism towards players of color continues to occur in European football, but Serie A is especially severe.

In August of last year, on-site testimony came out that Korean national team’s key defender Kim Min-jae’s team Napoli’s flagship striker Victor Osimen was racially discriminated against by fans during a game.