Racist chants aimed at Sampdoria midfielder Vieira
ROME (AP) — Sampdoria midfielder Ronaldo Vieira has been subjected to racist chants by Roma fans during a Serie A soccer match.
Referee Fabio Maresca heard the chants near the end of the first half of the game at Sampdoria’s Luigi Ferraris stadium on Sunday and let Vieira know about it.
The referee and Vieira walked off the field together at the interval but no announcement was made inside the stadium.
It’s the latest in a string of racist incidents in the Italian league this season after offensive chants aimed at Romelu Lukaku, Franck Kessie and Dalbert Henrique.
Vieira, who was born in Guinea Bissau and is black, plays for England’s Under-21 squad.
Rome tweeted an apology that said, “AS Roma would like to apologise to Ronaldo Vieira for the racist boos he was subjected to. Roma does not tolerate racism of any kind and the club will support the authorities in identifying and subsequently banning any individuals found guilty of racially abusing the midfielder.”
The match ended 0-0.
