Moise Kean: Leonardo Bonucci insists he was ‘misunderstood’ over racist abuse comments

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has insisted his words were “clearly misunderstood” after being criticised for saying his teammate Moise Kean was partly responsible for the racist abuse he received in a Serie A match.

After scoring Juve’s second goal in the 2-0 win at Cagliari, Kean stood next to the post and spread his arms in defiant response to monkey chants coming from the stands.

Bonucci later claimed his team-mate should take “50-50” of the blame for the abuse while manager Massimiliano Allegri was also critical of the 19-year-old’s celebration.

But after being subject to intense criticism, Bonucci has moved to condemn the racism his 19-year-old teammate faced on Tuesday night.

“After 24 hours I want to clarify my feelings,” the Italian said in a statement on Instagram. “Yesterday I was interviewed right at the end of the game, and my words have been clearly misunderstood, probably because I was too hasty in the way I expressed my thoughts.

“Hours and years wouldn’t be enough to talk about this topic. I firmly condemn all forms of racism and discrimination. The abuses are not acceptable at all and this must not be misunderstood.”

In the wake of Tuesday’s incident, Raheem Sterling branded criticism of Kean laughable while the Italian Football Federation issued an apology for the abuse.

Manchester City forward Sterling, who also pointedly celebrated a goal in front of opposition fans after he was racially abused during England’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro last month, took to Instagram to counter Bonucci’s argument.

“The blame is 50-50 bonuccileo19,” he posted alongside a number of laughing and applause emojis. “All you can do now is laugh.”

Also writing on Instagram, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba said: “I support every fight against racism, we’re all equal.”

Pogba added in Italian: “Good Italians wake up, you can’t let a small racist group speak for you. #equalgame #respect.”

Former Juventus defender Patrice Evra also voiced his support for Kean on Twitter with a post which condemned the abuse.

Evra, on his account Evra, wrote: “This is not acceptable in football or anywhere in the world. Well done to moisekean for standing up to them and showing them who is boss. The world would be a better place if we all shared more love no matter what.”

Kean posted a message on Instagram with a photo of his celebration and a caption which read: “The best way to respond to racism #notoracism.”

The incident came in the middle of Uefa’s two-day ‘equal game’ conference to tackle discrimination in the game and panellist Yaya Toure, the former Manchester City midfielder, called on the Italian football authorities to act.

He said: “To be honest that was so hard to take. I was shocked when I saw that happen and then the manager saying Kean shouldn’t have done that. I want to see what the Italian FA is going to do about it. I want to see a response.

“I’ve been in football for a long time and I didn’t see progress. Yesterday look what happened? And players saying ‘you shouldn’t have done that’. It’s a disgrace.”

Cristina Blasetti from the Italian Football Federation, who was in the conference audience at Wembley Stadium, stood up and apologised.

She said: “We are very sorry for what happened last night. We are doing our best to tackle this issue.”

Additional reporting by agencies