A fan was killed before the Inter v Napoli match while Kalidou Koulibaly faced alleged racist abuse from the stands during it
It should have been an occasion to celebrate. For the first time since 1971, a round of Serie A fixtures was being played on 26 December – St Stephen’s Day, to most Italians, though the sporting press seemed eager to embrace the English lexicon of “Boxing Day football”. More than a quarter of a million fans attended games up and down the country, and many were treated to entertaining fare.
In Bergamo, Atalanta became only the second team this season to take points off Juventus. Despite falling behind in the second minute, they roared back to lead 2-1 and appeared to be in the driving seat with the champions reduced to 10 men. That was until Cristiano Ronaldo, left out of Juventus’ starting lineup for the first time this season, came off the bench to head home the equaliser from close range.
Written by Paolo Bandini
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/dec/27/one-death-alleged-racist-abuse-and-a-boxing-day-of-shame-in-serie-a under the title “One death, alleged racist abuse and a Boxing Day of shame in Serie A”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
