Napoli defender Juan Jesus has doubled down on accusing Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi of making a racist comment after the Italian denied such allegations.
Jesus made referee Federico La Penna aware of a purported comment that Acerbi made during Sunday's 1-1 draw in Serie A, where Jesus rescued a point for Napoli after Matteo Darmian's opener.
The Brazilian said at full time that the matter was closed, though, as he accepted Acerbi's apology and forgave him, but the Inter man nevertheless withdrew from the Italy squad for the March international break.
Acerbi was then asked by Sky Italia whether he had indeed used a racist term towards Jesus, but the 36-year-old vehemently denied the accusations and claimed that the Napoli man "misunderstood" his words.
However, following the Italy international's profession of innocence, Jesus took to Instagram on Monday evening, claiming that Acerbi's comments 'totally contradict' what happened on the San Siro field.
The 32-year-old alleges that Acerbi said to him "go away black, you're just a black" and hit out at his Nerazzurri counterpart for 'changing his version' of events, even after Acerbi expressed his remorse.
"For me the issue was closed yesterday on the pitch with Acerbi's excuses and honestly I would have preferred not to go back to something so vile as what I had to suffer," Jesus wrote.
"But today I read statements by Acerbi totally contradicting the reality of the events, with what he said yesterday on the field of the game and with the evidence shown also by footage and unmistakable lips in which he asks for forgiveness.
"I'm not going to fit like that. Racism is being fought here and now. Acerbi told me "go away black, you're just a black. Following my protest with the referee, he admitted he was wrong and apologized and then added: "for me black is an insult like any other".
"Today he changed his version and claims that there was no racist insult. I have nothing to add."
Upon Acerbi's release from the Italy national team camp, Inter released a statement saying that they would meet with the centre-back as soon as possible to "shed light" on the incident, which is expected to be investigated by the authorities.
Should the 36-year-old be found guilty of making a racist comment towards Jesus, he could be banned for at least 10 Serie A matches - which would rule him out for the rest of the season - and potentially even longer.
Ben Knapton
