News in 2006

04th April 2006

Inter fined after Zoro abuse

Inter Milan have been fined 25,000 euros after the club's fans racially taunted the Ivory Coast and Messina defender Marc Zoro.

The fine, imposed by the Italian league's disciplinary council, comes despite last month's promise from Fifa to enforce tough new anti-racist legislation with immediate effect.

New legislation

The new legislation includes punishments such as matches being played behind closed doors and the docking of points. But it will not be implemented by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) until the end of the season after an agreement was reached with Fifa.

The FIGC has delayed implementing the legislation until 1 July, after arguing that it would need more time.

The weekend's abuse was the second time this season that Inter Milan fans have targeted Zoro, who threatened to walk off the pitch after the first incident in November.

Insults

In the latest incident, some so-called "ultra" fans shouted insults at Zoro - but the majority of the San Siro crowd jeered the slurs during Inter's 3-0 league win on Sunday.

League judge Maurizio Laudi said Inter would have been forced to play a game in an empty stadium if most of the fans had not reacted against the racial abuse.

However, Laudi warned that any more incidents of racism would carry a harsher penalty.

Make an example

Zoro had called on Fifa to make an example of Inter Milan.

"I'm powerless to do anything about it - I just have to play," said Zoro last week.

"I wish the fans could understand what they are doing and I hope Fifa will do something."