Picture: Napoli supporters condemn Acerbi-Juan Jesus verdict with new banner

A new banner has appeared in Naples following the decision not to punish Inter defender Francesco Acerbi despite allegations of racist remarks from Napoli centre-back Juan Jesus.

Acerbi was officially acquitted on Tuesday due to a lack of evidence to support Juan Jesus’ version of events. The Brazilian has since released a statement on Napoli’s club website, insisting that he ‘does not feel protected’ by the authorities’ decision.

Napoli and its supporters have rallied around Juan Jesus since the incident against Inter prior to the international break, which saw Acerbi removed from the Italy national team squad while an FIGC investigation was ongoing.

Napoli will no longer participate in anti-racism initiatives as a reaction to the Acerbi ruling.

Supporters have now also erected a banner in the city, criticising the ‘hypocritical’ system that led to Acerbi escaping without further punishment.

“Hypocritical system. Acerbi is your emblem,” the banner reads.