Juventus strongly condemns racist remarks directed at midfielder Weston McKennie by Parma fans after their 2-0 win in Serie A, vowing to cooperate with authorities to identify those responsible.
Juventus has issued a strong statement condemning the racist abuse directed at their midfielder Weston McKennie following their 2-0 win over Parma in Serie A. The incident occurred after the match when McKennie was training on the pitch with his teammates, who didn’t take part in the game.
Individuals in the away section, comprising around 1,000 ordinary Parma supporters, subjected McKennie to discriminatory and racist remarks.
The American international had been introduced as a substitute in the second half of the match. Instead, he joined his teammates for a training session after the final whistle, where he was targeted by the abuse. Juventus has taken a firm stance against the incident, emphasizing their commitment to identifying those responsible.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Juventus expressed their strong condemnation of the incident, saying, “Juventus strongly condemns this incident and any manifestation of racism and will guarantee its full cooperation with sporting justice bodies in identifying those responsible.”
The racist abuse comes as a stark contrast to the match’s otherwise positive atmosphere, which saw Juventus emerge victorious with goals from Jonathan David and Dusan Vlahovic.
Both strikers received assists from Kenan Yildiz, who was named the Man of the Match at the Allianz Stadium. Despite being reduced to 10 men following Andrea Cambiaso’s late dismissal, Juventus maintained their composure and secured the win.
It’s worth noting that Parma’s ultras boycotted the game due to ticket prices, and the abuse reportedly came from the general away crowd. Juventus has been proactive in addressing similar incidents in the past, having banned 174 of their own supporters for targeting Romelu Lukaku with racial slurs during a contest against Inter two years ago.
The club’s swift response to the incident demonstrates their commitment to tackling racism in football. By cooperating with the authorities, Juventus aims to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the abuse. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to eradicate racism from the sport.
As the investigation unfolds, Juventus fans and the football community at large will be watching closely to see how the club and the authorities handle the situation. The hope is that such incidents will become less frequent, and football can become a more welcoming and respectful environment for all players and fans.
