Roma fans aimed racist chants towards Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Jose Mourinho had to personally intervene to stop Roma fans from singing racist chants towards Zlatan Ibrahimovic during their defeat to AC Milan on Thursday night.
Milan were 3-1 winners on the night to keep within touching distance of city rivals Inter as Roma were reduced to nine men after Rick Karsdorp and Gianluca Mancini were sent off.
Rafael Leão smashes it home to extend Milan's lead against Roma 🔥
The touch from Ibrahimović to set him up 👌 pic.twitter.com/wFMIDoLRfF
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 6, 2022
The result at the San Siro however was marred by unsettling scenes in the stands as away fans could be heard directing racist chants towards the veteran striker in the 77th minute, as reported by DAZN.
Mourinho, who has previously managed Ibrahimovic, took matters into his own hands as he protested to the travelling support to stop singing the chants towards the Sweden international, who were said to have been calling the striker a ‘gypsy’ – despite the 40-year-old having no affiliation to the Romani community.
The travelling support originally did stop the chanting, but after the game could then be heard as Ibrahimovic and his teammates began to warm down after the full-time whistle.
Following the game, the Serie A side released a statement condemning the actions of some of their away support.
They said: “We have zero tolerance for any form of racism. The club has been committed to combating racism and any form of discrimination for years.
“As an organization, we continue to do everything we can to change the behaviour of some fans in a positive way.”
Roma fans could be heard singing the chants in the reverse fixture at the Stadio Olimpico back in October where Ibrahimovic was booked after urging their fans to continue singing the chant directed towards him with their ultras, known as the Curva Sud, were given a one-year suspended stadium ban as punishment.
Related links:
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits he is ‘scared to retire’ from football
- Tottenham condemn homophobic chanting during Chelsea game
- Brentford fan arrested for allegedly making homophobic and racist comments
