Inter to play 2 matches without fans after racist abuse

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL

Italy's Inter Milan will play two league matches at home behind closed doors after their fans directed monkey noises at Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, the country’s football federation announced.

During a Wednesday match in Milan's San Siro Stadium between Inter and Napoli, some Inter fans directed monkey noises at Koulibaly.

After the match, Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti said he had several times requested the match be halted due to the racist abuse and also threatened to lead the team off the field if the abuse is repeated in future matches.

Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday stepped in to support a fellow footballer in the face of racist abuse.

The fans’ abuse prompted Ronaldo to post a photo on Instagram with the message in Italian: "Education and respect are needed in the world and in football. No to racism and to any sort of insult and discrimination."

Inter posted on Instagram on Thursday: "The history of the city of Milan is a welcoming one and together we are fighting to build a future without discrimination. Those who do not understand this history, our history, do not stand with us."