Napoli defender Juan Jesus: I am sincerely disheartened by the outcome

Napoli defender Juan Jesus has released a statement after Francesco Acerbi was cleared of insulting him racially.

The Inter Milan veteran was cleared by a sports judge this week.

Juan Jesus has since stated: "Regarding what happened during Inter-Napoli and the subsequent decision of the sports judge, Juan Jesus, accompanied by his lawyers, intends to clarify the following.

"I have read several times, with great regret, the decision with which the Sports Judge considered that there is no proof that I was the victim of racist insults during the Inter-Napoli match last March 17: it is an assessment which, although respecting it, I struggle to understand and it leaves me with great bitterness.

"I am sincerely disheartened by the outcome of a serious matter which I was only guilty of having handled 'as a gentleman', avoiding interrupting an important match with all the inconvenience it would have caused for the spectators who were watching the match, and trusting that my attitude would have been respected and taken, perhaps, as an example.

"Probably, after this decision, those who find themselves in my situation will act in a very different way to protect themselves and try to put a stop to the shame of racism which, unfortunately, is struggling to disappear.

"I do not feel protected in any way by this decision which struggles between having to admit that 'proof of the offense has certainly been achieved' and maintaining that there is no certainty of its discriminatory nature which, again according to the decision, only I and 'in good faith' would have perceived.

"I really don't understand how the phrase 'go away black, you're just a ni**er...' can certainly be offensive, but not discriminatory.

"In fact, I don't understand why there was so much fuss that evening if it really had been a 'simple offense" for which Acerbi himself felt obliged to apologise, the referee felt he had to inform VAR, the match was interrupted for over 1 minute and his teammates were struggling to talk to me.

"I can't explain why, only the next day and in retreat with the national team, Acerbi began a U-turn on the version of events and instead did not immediately deny, as soon as the match was over, what had actually happened.

"I didn't expect an ending of this kind which I fear - but I hope I'm wrong - could set a serious precedent to subsequently justify certain behaviors.

"I sincerely hope that this, for me, sad story can help the entire world of football to reflect on such a serious and urgent issue."