Emil Audero insists there are “no problems” in the Inter Milan dressing room despite a recent firestorm surrounding Francesco Acerbi.
The 27-year-old spoke to Italian broadcaster SportItalia, via FCInterNews, following the Nerazzurri’s 2-0 win over Empoli yesterday.
Acerbi started for Inter in the team’s victory over Empoli yesterday.
That match was the return to Serie A action after the international break.
Acerbi had also started in the Nerazzurri’s previous match, against Napoli before the break.
But the ensuing two weeks were anything but uneventful. And they even cast doubt on the prospect Acerbi being available against Empoli, or playing for Inter.
The reason was an incident between Acerbi and Napoli defender Jesus.
The Napoli player alleged that his Inter opposite number used racially derogatory language during an argument on the pitch.
Had Acerbi been found guilty of doing so, then the Inter defender would have faced the prospect of at least a ten-match ban.
However, the investigation into the incident delivered a not guilty verdict. The judge determined that there was not enough evidence to find Acerbi guilty of racially abusing Jesus.
Audero: “No Problems” In Inter Dressing Room Despite Acerbi Racism Row
Even with the not guilty verdict, though, there have been some lingering questions surrounding the incident Acerbi.
One of the biggest ones concerns how the rest of the 36-year-old’s teammates would react.
Inter striker Marcus Thuram, who is black, had given his reaction to the incident prior to the verdict. Thuram said that Acerbi should “explain himself.”
The former Lazio defender has done that, and from a legal standpoint, things have gone well for him.
According to keeper Audero, the Inter squad have accepted this outcome.
The keeper explained that “Most of the players in the squad were away on international duty.”
“So we came together a few days before the match and prepared for it the way we always do.”
Audero made clear that “There were no problem.”
“If there was an incident it happened privately, and certainly not collectively,” the 27-year-old said.
“We supported the Sporting Judge’s final verdict. But everyone was calm throughout it.”
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