Zanetti promises walk off
Friday 27 November, 2009
Javier Zanetti insists his team will walk off the pitch if racist chants are directed towards Mario Balotelli when Inter face Juventus on December 5.
Juventus were fined £18,000 earlier this week after a section of their supporters sang distasteful chants about Balotelli during Sunday's match against Udinese.
The Bianconeri have accepted the punishment even though many pundits do not consider the chant in question to be racist.
Meanwhile Bologna escaped sanction despite the fact monkey chants were heard whenever Balotelli touched the ball on Saturday.
Last April's Derby d'Italia was marred by racist chanting, prompting the Italian FA to recommend Juventus play a match behind closed doors.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Zanetti said: “If something happens then I will not hesitate to go to the referee and ask him to stop the game.”
The legendary Argentinian then responded to comments made by Jose Mourinho after Tuesday's 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League.
Mourinho said that Barcelona were better than Inter earning him a stiff from reproach from Inter President Massimo Moratti.
“I think Mourinho was only referring to the specific game on Tuesday. I don't think his judgement was a definite one.
“I don't think the fans have given up, neither has the team. I am convinced our fans will help us qualify for the Champions League against Rubin,” Zanetti concluded.