Juventus Takes a Stand Against Racism
In a decisive move against racism in football, Juventus disciplined three supporters of Parma for their abusive, racist behavior directed at Weston McKennie, a U.S. midfielder, during a Serie A match held on August 24. This incident took place while McKennie was cooling down post-match with his teammates on the field in Turin.
Investigation and Consequences
Following the confrontation, Juventus publicly denounced the abhorrent remarks made by the away fans against their player. After extensive investigations aided by advanced surveillance technology at the Allianz Stadium, including a multifocal camera setup, law enforcement was successful in identifying the three individuals implicated in the incident.
According to a statement released by the club on Friday, these fans not only made derogatory comments towards McKennie but also faced consequences under the club’s established regulations.
“Juventus Football Club firmly denounces this serious incident and any form of racism. The club has enacted the ‘Codice di Gradimento’ against the individuals involved, in accordance with its ‘Code of Conduct,’ which bans them from attending any future events organized by the Club,” the statement emphasized.
Ongoing Efforts in Italian Football
This isn’t the first time Juventus has taken such actions; previously, fans from Roma and Torino have faced similar repercussions in the past year. Additionally, 2023 also saw Fiorentina receive a suspended partial stadium ban for fans’ racist chants targeted at McKennie and other Juventus players, reflecting ongoing efforts in Italian football to tackle discrimination effectively.
