Now new race row hits Italy
This was Arsene Wenger’s first victory over a Jose Mourinho team in 16 competitive meetings, unless you count the Community Shield. A dozen years ago this clash would be a title decider, a key game between two heavyweights. These days it’s all about pride and a battle for top four. This was only Wayne Rooney’s fourth start in the Prem this season and he spurned a glorious chance in the first half. Mourinho went crazy on the touchline. Mesut Ozil’s performance in some small way suggested a bit of a reaction to the criticism which has been aimed in his direction. Granit Xhaka has, largely, been a disappointing signing for Arsenal. But there were some glimpses that, with the right partner next season, he could thrive. ITALIAN football has been hit by another race storm after Juventus star Mehdi Benatia was called a “s **** y Moroccan.”
The on-loan defender heard the remark in his earpiece during a live interview after the 1-1 draw in the Turin derby.
As he was speaking to studio presenters, Benatia heard a technician’s voice in his earpiece asking: “What are you saying, s **** y Moroccan?”
The furious Juve defender stopped in mid-sentence and said: “Who said that? What stupid person is speaking?” The remark was not heard by viewers.
Last week Sulley Muntari said he was “treated like a crimininal” when he was booked — and initially suspended – for complaining about racist abuse.
Torino’s Serbian coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, who once racially abused Patrick Vieira, also complained about his treatment by Juve fans. “Racism is not only black and white but also ‘s **** y gypsy’ or ‘s **** y Serb’,” he said. “But this is Italy. I expect it. If you call me ‘gypsy’, come and say it to my face. Let’s see if they have the balls.”