Following the FIGC’s decision to reject Napoli’s appeal against Kalidou Kouliably’s two-match ban, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis expressed his regret about Italian football’s system.
The Senegalese was sent off for sarcastically applauding the referee during a defeat to Inter at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in December.
The defender testified in front of the appeals court that he was affected by the constant racist abuse throughout the last match of 2018.
However, the appeal was rejected because the judges ruled otherwise racist abuse could be used as “justification for even violent” reactions on the pitch.
“I am ashamed to be part of this system from which I will be going out of very quickly if the FIGC will not use drastic measures against racism,” De Laurentiis told Il Mattino newspaper.
“Once again, the system proved it doesn’t know how to change and preferred to punish the victim.
“If we carry on like this, football runs the serious risk of imploding, as it is self-destructive.
“Koulibaly is left even more humiliated by the whole affair. I am offended on his behalf.
“The appeals court preferred to apply the law to the letter when it should’ve interpreted it. This is a decision that again shows they are blind to the problem and too immature to deal with it.”
Napoli will face Lazio on Sunday night without the presence of the Senegal international.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com