Napoli Head coach, Carlo Ancelotti has praised Mario Balotelli’s reaction to the racist abuse he received during Brescia’s Serie A clash with Hellas Verona on Sunday.
Balotelli kicked the ball angrily towards Verona supporters early in the second half after hearing abuse, before threatening to walk off the pitch.
The referee brought the play to a halt before following protocol, with a statement read out to the crowd in an attempt to resolve the issue.
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Balotelli was persuaded to stay on and see out the game by team-mates and Verona players, before the former Manchester City and Inter striker scored a stunning late goal in Brescia’s 2-1 defeat at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
Ancelotti believes Balotelli was right to highlight the abuse and suggested the stoppage shows football is making advances in its efforts to combat racism.
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Speaking ahead of Napoli’s Champions League clash with RB Salzburg on Tuesday, Ancelotti said: “He did the right thing, he had the right reaction.
“There have already been a couple of episodes when the match has been stopped, so we are on the right path.”