Mario Balotelli hits out at the Lazio fans. Is there an end to racism?

After Mario Balotelli’s Brescia fell to Lazio in a 1-2 loss at Stadio Mario Rigamonti, the striker came out loud at the Lazio supporters on social media. Balotelli has accused Lazio fans of racially abusing him again as he was subject to racist chants from the Roman club's supporters earlier this season too.

Balotelli appeared on the score-sheet for Brescia but Ciro Immobile struck twice and took the match away from the home side. Andrea Cistana’s red card was a huge boost in favor of the visiting team. During the game, a warning was read out over the stadium’s public address system after chants aimed at Balotelli were reported.

The ex-Manchester City striker blasted on social media and said, "It is a loss that hurt but we will come back stronger and we are on the right way! Lazio fans that were today at the stadium SHAME ON YOU! #saynotoracism,” all this had a clip of his goal attached with it.

Last November, Balotelli kicked a ball into the stands and threatened to walk off the pitch after being subjected to monkey chants during a match against Hellas Verona. In the same month, Brescia president Massimo Cellino said Balotelli is “black and is working on lightening up, but he is facing troubles."

The word ‘Nero’ in Italian means ‘black’ but can also be used for ‘gloomy’. Brescia defended Cellino’s comments as a “paradoxical joke clearly misunderstood, released in an attempt to defuse excessive media exposure and with intent to protect the player himself.”

Apart from football chants and songs this season, there have been a lot of players who were and still are targeted, shunned away and disrespected only on the grounds of their skin color. There have been enough incidents but this is something which does not seem to stop very soon. 

People still remember the ‘Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra’ incident but hopefully, there will be strict actions taken against everyone who is found guilty of such horrible acts.

featured image credits- bleacherreport.com