Atalanta vs Fiorentina suspended for three minutes after racist abuse directed at defender Dalbert – The Sun

FIORENTINA defender Dalbert was the target of sick racist chants by Atalanta fans on Sunday night, causing the game to stop for three minutes.

Public announcements were made to supporters, warning them that the abuse had to stop or the match could be abandoned – a concern which was met with boos.

The start to the new Serie A season has placed a magnifying glass over the fan culture in Italy with these episodes continually going unpunished.

Romelu Lukaku and Franck Kessie are the most high-profile players abused in recent weeks, and on both counts the offenders were let off by league authorities.

Sunday night saw Atalanta supporters at Stadio Ennio Tardini aim chants at Fiorentina's Brazilian full-back Dalbert.

The 26-year-old responded by staring down the offending section and informed the referee.

A tannoy announcement subsequently warned fans that the game would be suspended until the chants ended – prompting the game to be suspended.

Three minutes later, the crowd simmered down and play was resumed.

Onlookers will now have to wait and see if Serie A finally acts on clubs accused of racism.

After Cagliari fans abused Lukaku earlier in the season and Hellas Verona's ultras targeted AC Milan midfielder Kessie, neither were punished.

Furthermore, an Inter supporters' group defended their rivals while Verona initially released a statement dismissing the racism accusation as a "cliche".

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was pressed on the situation in Italian football on Sunday and called for penalties against offending teams.

He told TV RAI: "Racism is combatted with education, condemnation and discussion.

"You can't have racism in society or in football. In Italy the situation has not improved and this is very serious.

"You need to identify those responsible and throw them out of the stadiums.

"You need, as in England, the certainty of the penalty.

"You can't be afraid to condemn racists, we need to combat them until they stop."

Fiorentina took a two-goal lead in the game, Franck Ribery scoring, but let it slip late on to come away with a 2-2 draw.

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