FLORENCE, Italy — The match between Juventus and Fiorentina was interrupted on Saturday due to persistent racist and discriminatory chants from the home supporters.
In the 11th minute, an announcement urged fans to cease the derogatory comments aimed at former Fiorentina player Dusan Vlahovic, who hails from Serbia.
The hostile chants intensified when Juventus was given a penalty in the 14th minute after Pablo Marí was deemed to have fouled Vlahovic, but this decision was later rescinded following a video review.
As the referee prepared to resume play, he was compelled to instruct Fiorentina captain Gianluca Mancini to urge the crowd to halt the chants.
This marks the third consecutive year that Vlahovic has faced racist abuse, a troubling trend since his contentious departure from Fiorentina in January 2022.