The Serie A side were fined 50,000 euros and given a partial stadium ban as punishment for racist chants directed at Milan striker Mario Balotelli during Sunday’s city derby.
Balotelli, who used to play for Inter, was the target of a section of Nerazzurri supporters during the game the Rossoneri won 1-0.
The Lega Serie A said in a statement on Wednesday: “The Nerazzurri supporters on five occasions during the first half of the game directed chants of racial discrimination at Mario Balotelli.
“The same fans directed anti-Naples chants in the first half.”
As part of the punishment, Inter will have the inner ring of the Curva nord section of their stadium empty for Saturday’s match against Lazio, their last home game of the season.
This is not the first time the Italian striker has been racially abused by fans of his former club. Last season, Inter were fined 50,000 euros when their fans verbally abused Balotelli and his Milan teammate, Sulley Muntari, another former Inter player.
Just over a year later and the same thing has happened again. If the 50,000 euros fine is intended to act as a deterrent, it clearly isn’t working. The authorities, assuming they wish t deal with the problem of racism, may have to think again.
