Moise Kean: Stormzy labels Leonardo Bonucci a 'p***k' over claim Juve striker should take '50-50' blame for racist abuse

The veteran defender has come under fire for blaming his 19-year-old teammate for being subjected to monkey chants against Cagliari

Ben Burrows,Ed Malyon
Wednesday 03 April 2019 11:04 BST
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Juventus striker Moise Kean receives racial abuse in Cagliari match

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Stormzy has labelled Leonardo Bonucci a 'prick' after the Juventus veteran claimed teenaged teammate Moise Kean should take 50 per cent of the blame for being racially abused by opposition fans during the Bianconero's win over Cagliari.

Kean, a 19-year-old Italian striker, was subjected to monkey chants against the Sardinian club, but got his revenge by scoring his side's second goal and then celebrated in front of the home fans.

Team-mate Blaise Matuidi, a France international of African descent, was also taunted by the crowd but Bonucci claimed his young team-mate should take part of the responsibility for the episode.

“Kean knows that when he scores a goal, he has to focus on celebrating with his teammates. He knows he could’ve done something differently too,” Bonucci said afterwards.

“There were racist jeers after the goal, Blaise heard it and was angered. I think the blame is 50-50, because Moise shouldn’t have done that and the Curva should not have reacted that way.

“We are professionals, we have to set the example and not provoke anyone."

Stormzy, who counts Manchester United footballers Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku as close friends, weighed in on Instagram calling Bonucci a "prick".

His input followed comments from England international Raheem Sterling, who was racially abused himself in last month's Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro, took to Instagram to counter Bonucci's argument.

"The blame is 50-50 @bonuccileo19," he posted on his story alongside a number of laughing and applause emojis. "All you can do now is laugh."

Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini led the protests to referee Piero Giacomelli, while Cagliari captain Luca Ceppitelli pleaded with his supporters to stop the abuse.

Kean hit out at his abusers on social media after the game posting a picture of himself celebrating his goal with the following message: “The best way to respond to racism #NoToRacism.”

While he also posted a tweet with a finger to lips emoji.

Manager Massimiliano Allegri also criticised Kean for the manner of his celebration before condemning the crowd for their actions.

Sterling posted this image to his Instagram story
Sterling posted this image to his Instagram story (Instagram/Sterling7)

“He shouldn’t have celebrated in that manner,” Allegri said.

“He is a young man and he has to learn, but certain things from the crowd also shouldn’t be heard.”

Kean celebrated his goal in front of the Cagliari fans
Kean celebrated his goal in front of the Cagliari fans (Getty)

“You need great intelligence to deal with these situations and should not go to provoke people. That, of course, does not mean the idiots in the crowd and the way they reacted should be justified,” the Juventus boss said.

“As always in life, there are idiots who do stupid things and ruin it for everyone else.

“I don’t think talking about it all the time helps. I don’t think halting play helps, because not everyone in the stadium did that.

“We need to use the cameras, find those who are doing it and punish them. It’s very simple, identify them and not one-year ban or two, just give them a lifetime ban.

“We’ve got the technology, it can be done if the authorities want to. The problem is, they don’t really want to.”

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