Friday 22 November 2019 13:35, UK
The Italian FA appeals court has suspended the partial stadium closure handed to Hellas Verona, after some of the club's fans racially abused Brescia forward Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli kicked a ball towards the stands during the second half of Brescia's away clash with Verona in Serie A, having been targeted by a section of home supporters at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on November 3.
The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker threatened to leave the field because of the racist chants and the game was suspended for several minutes.
The 29-year-old was visibly distressed during the Italian top-flight game and had to be calmed down by his team-mates and opposition players.
The court says an additional inquiry is needed before issuing a final decision on the case to identify exactly which section the racist chants came from, as well as further details about what was heard.
The ruling means Verona fans will be allowed into the "poltrone est" section for Sundays match against Fiorentina, which is where the chants came from during the game against Brescia.
Italian FA president Gabriele Gravina, who had applauded the decision by the Serie A judge to close the stadium partially, said he was very disappointed with the ruling from the appeals court.
Verona, who previously appealed the call to introduce a partial stadium closure, have released a statement to say the club is "satisfied" with the decision.
Meanwhile, Balotelli was reportedly sent away from a Brescia training session Thursday by coach Fabio Grosso for lack of dedication.
Former Inter Milan midfielder Paul Ince, who scored 10 goals in 54 Serie A appearances for the club between 1995-1997, believes the incidents that have occurred this season show that little has changed on the issue of racism in Italian football over the course of 20 years.
"It's not that surprising, I know we are in the 21st century but it is not that surprising," the former England international said.
"When I was at Inter we had a game against Cremonese.
"I think I scored about 20 minutes in, and in the process injured their goalkeeper, from that point on, and up until half-time, three-quarters of the stadium was hurling racial abuse at me.
"On the following Monday, I received a letter of apology from the Cremonese saying "this is appalling, disgusting, we don't expect this type of behaviour from our fans."
"Two weeks later then we are playing AC Milan and George Weah got exactly the same type of stuff, it's something that has never ever really gone away in Italy and it's sad that you are seeing stuff like that.
"Even Balotelli saying "I am going to leave the football pitch", that is the only way you can make a statement. We have to get to the stage where it is zero tolerance all over Europe."