Inter Milan centre-back Francesco Acerbi has denied making a racist comment towards Napoli's Juan Jesus in Sunday's Serie A clash.
The champions-elect played out a 1-1 draw with the current holders at San Siro on Sunday evening, where a first-half Matteo Darmian opener was cancelled out by Jesus's 81st-minute effort.
However, the contest was overshadowed by allegations of racism from Acerbi towards Jesus, who approached Federico La Penna claimed that the former had used a racist term towards him.
Acerbi was due to represent Italy in their March friendlies with Venezuela and Ecuador, but the country's football federation announced that he would play no part in their fixtures in order to let the situation "settle" down, although they claimed that there was no "racist intent" from the Inter defender.
"Francesco Acerbi, who arrived at the national team camp in Rome this morning, explained to head coach, Luciano Spalletti, and his team-mates his version of the alleged racist expression reported by Juan Jesus during Inter vs Napoli last night, as required by the internal policy of Club Italia," a statement read.
"From the Nerazzurri defender's report, in waiting for what happened to be reconstructed in compliance with the autonomy of sporting justice, it emerged that there was no defamatory, denigrating or racist intent on his part.
"However, it was agreed that Acerbi should be left out of the squad for the next two friendlies scheduled in the United States in order to let things settle for the national team and the player himself, who will return to his club today."
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Acerbi - who was replaced in the Azzurri's ranks by Roma's Gianluca Mancini - was approached by Sky Italia following Jesus's accusations and publicly denied racially abusing Jesus at the weekend.
"Nothing racist came out of my mouth, it was he who misunderstood. I'm very calm, I've been playing for 20 years football and I know what I'm saying," the 36-year-old said.
An investigation into Acerbi's alleged comment is still expected to occur, but Jesus also played down the incident and revealed that his opposite number had apologised, which he accepted.
"What happens on the field, stays on the field. He apologised and we can move on. When the referee blows the whistle, it is all behind us," the Brazilian told DAZN.
"I know that Acerbi is a good lad and he apologised because he realised that he had gone a bit over the top with some words. He is an intelligent guy, so I hope he learns from it and won't do it again."
Sunday's draw left Inter 14 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, while Napoli sit seventh and are six points adrift of Roma in fifth place.
Ben Knapton
