Napoli defender Juan Jesus has openly voiced his dissatisfaction and disappointment following the Italian league’s decision not to penalize Inter Milan player Francesco Acerbi for an allegedly racist comment directed at him.

The controversy stems from an incident during the March 17 match between Napoli and Inter Milan, which ignited significant uproar and brought the game to a halt for approximately 90 seconds.

Juan Jesus, who is of Brazilian descent, reported that Acerbi made a racial slur against him, a claim that has since been scrutinized but ultimately dismissed by the league’s sporting judge due to a perceived lack of sufficient evidence. This verdict has left Juan Jesus “very bitter” and “crestfallen,” challenging the effectiveness of the football community’s stand against racism.

“I have read several times and with great disappointment the decision of the sports judge, who felt there was no evidence that I was the victim of a racist insult during the match,” Juan Jesus conveyed in a statement. He highlighted his struggle to understand the decision, emphasizing the gravity of the incident and his dignified response in the hope that it would serve as a respected example.

Despite Acerbi’s immediate apology post-match, Juan Jesus pointed out a concerning shift in Acerbi’s account of the event, which only emerged during his subsequent engagement with the national team. Acerbi has consistently denied the allegation, asserting that no such language was used and suggesting a misunderstanding on Juan Jesus’s part.

The Italian football federation took steps to investigate, involving player and witness interviews, along with a review of match footage and audio recordings. However, the decision not to impose sanctions on Acerbi — who would have faced a minimum 10-match ban if found guilty — has sparked a debate on the standards of evidence and protection against racism in sports.

Juan Jesus fears the implications of this outcome, worrying it might establish a troubling precedent for addressing or dismissing similar incidents in the future. He calls for a reflective and urgent approach to addressing racism within football, expressing a hope that this disheartening situation can catalyze positive change.