Juventus Condemns Racism Against McKennie: Serie A Again in the Crosshairs

Weston McKennie, victim of racism after Juventus match

American midfielder Weston McKennie was subjected to racist insults following Juventus’ 2-0 victory over Parma in the Serie A season opener, the Italian club reported on Sunday. Juventus issued a statement on social media stating that McKennie was the target of “discriminatory racist comments from some individuals in the away section” while warming up with his teammates on the field.

“Juventus strongly condemns this incident and any form of racism, and will ensure full cooperation with sports justice authorities to identify those responsible,” the club stated in its statement.

Juventus

Official statement from Juventus.

McKennie, who joined Juventus in 2020, came on as a substitute in the match in Turin, where Canadian forward Jonathan David scored on his Serie A debut for Juventus. In 2023, Fiorentina was sanctioned with a suspended partial stadium ban after fans directed racist and discriminatory chants against McKennie and other Juventus players. The incident on Sunday is the latest in a series of racism accusations in European football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino last week described two incidents of alleged racist abuse that marred German Cup matches as “unacceptable.”