Sports News of Friday, 28 December 2018

Source: ghanasportsonline.com

Kwadwo Asamoah empathizes with Koulibaly after racial abuse

Kwadwo Asamoah offered support to Koulibaly after the game Kwadwo Asamoah offered support to Koulibaly after the game

Ghana international Kwadwo Asamoah was captured on camera empathizing with Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly who suffered racial abuse during Inter Milan’s 1-0 win over Napoli in the Serie A on Wednesday.

Koulibaly, 27, was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a matter of seconds in the 80th minute. The first was for a foul on Matteo Politano, the second was for sarcastically applauding the referee’s decision.

After the match the central defender posted on Twitter: “I’m sorry about the defeat and especially to have let my brothers down.

“But I’m proud of the colour of my skin. To be French, Senegalese, Neapolitan, and a man.”

Napoli’s 27-year-old Algerian left-back Faouzi Ghoulam posted a message of support. “It was painful to hear racist chants directed at my brother.”

Ghana’s Kwadwo Asamoah empathized with the African when he was marched off by the referee for applauding his decision.

Several black players have suffered racial abuse while playing in the Italian Serie A with Ghanaians Sulley Muntari, Mario Barwuah Balotelli and Kevin-Prince Boateng all being victims.

Kevin Boateng walked off a game during his spell at AC Milan after he was racially abused by fans of a lower-tier club known as Pro Partia during a friendly game.

Balotelli, who was born to Ghanaian parents but chosen to represent Italy at international level, suffered multiple racial abuse as fans chanted there is no ‘black Italian.’

Inter Milan fans chanted at the Senegalese but their only goal which they cheered noisily at the Giuseppe Meazza was assisted by Senegalese Balde Keita while Ghanaian Kwadwo Asamoah also played 90 minutes.

Racism is a huge problem in Italian football and has received wide condemnation from world football icons including Cristiano Ronaldo