Roma: Club issue apology to Sampdoria's Ronaldo Vieira after racial abuse in Serie A game

The 21-year-old was the target of monkey chants from the away section at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium on Sunday

Callum Rice-Coates
Monday 21 October 2019 13:12 BST
Comments
Yeovil Town and Haringey Borough players join in solidarity after FA Cup match is abandoned for racist abuse

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Roma have apologised to Sampdoria midfielder Ronaldo Vieira after he was racially abused by fans in a game between the two sides on Sunday.

The 21-year-old, who joined the club from Leeds last year, was targeted during a 0-0 draw at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium.

There were audible monkey chants from the visiting supporters, and Roma have since issued a statement in apology.

“AS Roma would like to apologise to Ronaldo Vieira for the racist boos he was subjected to,” the club wrote on Twitter.

“Roma does not tolerate racism of any kind and the club will support the authorities in identifying and subsequently banning any individuals found guilty of racially abusing the midfielder.”

Roma fans were reportedly warned during the game that the match would be suspended if the chants did not stop.

“I heard it but I don't want to talk about it," Vieira told Italian TV after the game. “This happens too often, it shouldn't be this way.”

This is not the first incident of racial abuse in Italian football this season. Fiorentina defender Dalbert was targeted by Atalanta fans and Roma banned a supporter for life following racist posts aimed at Juan Jesus on social media.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in