Hold your head up, Weston. In Tuesday’s semifinal Coppa Italia match, the American midfielder became the target of racial abuse from Lazio fans.
The discriminatory shouts occurred in the 89th minute when the 25-year-old-old came off the pitch for a substitution. The club sourced social media videos to confirm the chants, which McKennie also confirmed.
‘Forza Wes’
Juventus issued an official statement of support for their player on Thursday with the tweet ‘Never again.’
“Juventus Football Club takes note of the video circulated on social networks and reported by some media from which it would emerge the intonation of discriminatory chants coming from the visiting sector and directed at Weston McKennie during his substitution in the Juventus-Lazio semi-final first leg of the Italian Cup, played on 2 April.
“Following confirmation of the incident by the player, the club communicates that it has activated all procedures aimed at verifying what happened and will fully cooperate in order to identify the persons responsible and, consequently, take all necessary measures in this regard.”
Turin’s Public Prosecutor’s office is leading the investigation and will work with the Serie A to decide on a ban for the fans in question.
McKennie, playing with a dislocated shoulder, earned Player of the Match after two assists in the Old Lady’s victory. The US international also leads all Serie A players with 10 across all competitions this season.
Photo: x/The_AJC_
