Serie B, episodes of racism in Reggiana-Bari and Brescia Sampdoria

The Reggio fans target Dorval and Prontera suspends the match. The Samp midfielder lets off steam after his team’s goal and Semplici takes him away to avoid risking a red card

Oscar Maresca

January 12, 2025 (changed at 11.53pm) – MILAN

Two incidents of racism negatively affected the 21st matchday of Serie B. Facts to be condemned that should never happen in a stadium – and not only -. The first occurred during the match between Reggiana and Bari at the Città del Tricolore. In the 21st minute the Granata midfielder Portanova made it 1-0, then the referee canceled everything due to a previous foul. Tempers flare up, there are a few too many contrasts. From the stands we hear insults directed at Dorval, the Algerian winger of the red and whites. The match director Prontera decides to stop the game immediately to allow the speaker’s announcement which invites the public to maintain a correct and sporting attitude. Meanwhile, Captain Bardi and his team try to talk to the fans, asking for calm. Teammates and opponents embrace the class of 2001. The match resumes after a seven-minute stop, shortly afterwards Lucchesi gets sent off. In the 90th minute it was 0-0, after the match it was Dorval himself who raised his voice on social media: “Thank you for your support. Unfortunately there are still stupid people – wrote the footballer in a story on Instagram -. This sport is too good to be ruined by these people, shame on you.

Howl against Akinsanmiro

A few hours after the events in Reggio Emilia, another incident of racism also occurred at Rigamonti during Brescia-Sampdoria. In the 33rd minute Coda put the Blucerchiati ahead, the players rejoiced and the Nigerian midfielder Akinsanmiro ran to take the ball into the net. A few minutes earlier the class of 2004 had alerted referee Massa that he had heard racist howling towards him. When the player gets under the opponent’s curve he responds to the insults with a provocative dance. The race director notices this and warns him, a few minutes later he also intervenes late on Dickmann. So Mr. Semplici decides to replace him, Ronaldo Vieira comes in in his place. In the second half Moncini equalized, the match ended 1-1. In the press conference the Sampdoria coach then returned to the incident: “I’m sorry for Akinsanmiro, he was the best on the pitch up to that point. I had to replace him before being sent off. These are things that shouldn’t happen, unfortunately in certain moments the people forget that they are human. He is a golden boy, it is not easy to react in the right way.”



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