Players who leave Fiorentina to join Juventus are labelled as ‘traitors’
Fiorentina striker Dušan Vlahović has been subject to death threats from supporters amid rumours that the striker will leave the club to join Juventus.
The Serbian forward had been linked with a move to Arsenal this month but it appears that he is now set on a move to the Bianconeri.
The 21-year-old has been in spectacular form for Fiorentina this season, however the club have previously discussed a transfer for him as the player’s contract expires in 18 months.
With the player reportedly preparing to join Juve, his relationship with the fans has been instantly wiped away – as the two clubs share a direct rivalry in Italy.
While it is not based on geography, identity or even competitiveness, history has meant that the Old Lady are viewed with animosity by fans in Florence.
Players who leave Fiorentina to join Juventus are labelled as ‘traitors’ by the club – much like local talent Federico Bernardeschi, who left the Viola to join Juve in 2017.
Giorgio Chiellini, Juan Cuadrado and Federicho Chiesa are other examples in the current Juve squad who joined the club directly from Fiorentina.
Shocking banners hung up in Florence with death threats and racism towards Dusan Vlahovic:
"Your bodyguards won't save you. Gypsy, you're done"
"Vlahovic piece of sh!t gypsy" https://t.co/oxcFlKsjaC
— Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) January 25, 2022
Following rumours of the transfer, it didn’t take Fiorentina fans long to express their opinions on Vlahović’s situation, with some supporters displaying a banner outside the club’s facilities which read: “A chi non piacerebbe sputarti in faccia… Bernardeschi gobbo di merda” – “who would not want to spit on your face, you s****y hunchback”.
In Italy, the term ‘hunchback’ is often used when describing someone as ‘lucky’.
Another banner read: “Il rispetto non si conquista a suon di gol. Vlahovic gobbo di mierda” (“respect is not won with goals, Vlahović, you s***** hunchback!”)
Shockingly, an even more threatening message read: “Le tue guardie non ti salveranno la vita. Zingaro, per te è finite.” (“Your guards won’t save your life. Gypsy, it’s over for you.”)
Although Vlahović’s move to the Allianz is far from complete, it appears that the bond between the forward and a section of the Fiorentina support base is completely broken.
The Serbian has been in scintillating form in the past two seasons, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s Serie A goal record in a calendar year – scoring 33 goals in the league in 2021.
Related links:
- WATCH: Best Serie A goals from Week 27
- Jose Mourinho blames everyone but himself after collapse vs Juventus
- Sam Kerr drops pitch invader with shoulder charge during Chelsea Juventus clash
