Chiellini: Players should expect abuse

Posted Wednesday, May 29, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini believes players have to learn to better distinguish racist chants from other personal abuse.

The Juventus vice-captain said he would not follow the example of AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who walked off the pitch in response to racist abuse at a friendly with Pro Patria, insisting match officials should handle any misbehaviour from supporters.

Chiellini's international team-mate Mario Balotelli, another black Milan player, has been a frequent target of opposition fans since he returned to Italy.

When abusive chants have been directed at Balotelli this season, clubs including Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma have been fined for failing to tackle racist behaviour, but Chiellini believes many fans are being unfairly branded bigots.

He told figc.it: "You have to distinguish racism from personal abuse. Everyone has things chanted at them, that's normal, but racist chants must be left outside.

"If I hear a chant against Balotelli that isn't racist, it's wrong but it should be accepted. It's another matter if the chant is racist, but even then you should not make the decision to leave the field.

"There are other people who should make that decision."

Speaking ahead of Friday night's friendly with San Marino, Chiellini also respected Italy coach Cesare Prandelli's decision to release Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo from the Confederations Cup squad following his rebellion against the capital club.

Following Giallorossi coach Aurelio Andreazzoli's decision to leave Osvaldo on the bench for Sunday's Coppa Italia final defeat to Lazio, the the striker directed a volley of abuse at his manager at the final whistle before storming down the tunnel and failing to reappear.

Andreazzoli then dismissed Osvaldo's actions as "snivelling", leading the striker to publicly mock his coach while questioning his loyalty.

He Tweeted: "You'd look better if you just admitted you were incompetent. Go and celebrate with Lazio..."

Prandelli has adhered to a strict code of conduct since replacing Marcello Lippi and promptly ruled Osvaldo out of contention for this summer's World Cup rehearsal in Brazil.

Chiellini added: "I'm always sorry when one of our colleagues is absent but the coach has to make these choices and we respect them. It's nothing to do with us.

"Osvaldo has always behaved well with us and we will welcome him back with open arms if he returns.

"The code of ethics is something the federation has been using for three years. We hold great responsibility and are a point of reference for thousands of people, especially children.

"We just have to think about playing and respect these decisions without getting involved."

Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy, meanwhile, hopes to be fit for next week's World Cup qualifying game against the Czech Republic after withdrawing through injury today.

The 20-year-old sustained a minor ankle problem in training yesterday and will not be risked in Bologna.

Italy team chief medical officer Enrico Castellacci said: "As expected tests did not show any major problems so we hope for a speedy recovery.

"We will decide together on when to reintegrate him back in the squad because we have some very important objectives. The goal is a full recovery for the match in Prague."