By Andrew Warshaw
August 8 – Increasingly vigilant as a result of the notorious Kevin-Prince Boateng walkoff back in January, Italian football authorities have handed out a 10-match ban to a player from amateur club Matera for racially insulting an opponent.
Under new tougher penalties introduced to combat racism, midfielder Gaetano Iannini (pictured) was given a red card in the first half of an Italian Cup first round match between Matera and Sudtirol and promptly given the unprecedented ban announced by the Italian league’s disciplinary board.
“Iannini will be suspended for 10 matches after making a racially discriminatory comment against an opponent in the 18th minute of the first half,” the league said.
Both FIFA and UEFA recently approved new measures to crack down on verbal abuse but Italy has one of the worst records when it comes to discrimination in football.
Last month the national federation (FIGC) opened an investigation into alleged racist chanting by fans that prompted AC Milan midfielder Kevin Constant to emulate Boateng’s stance during a pre-season friendly at fellow Sassuolo.
The 26-year-old Guinea international kicked the ball into the crowd and left the pitch in the 34th minute. Milan sent on a substitute, and an announcement warned that the game would be halted if further incidents occurred.
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