JUVENTUS star Blaise Matuidi has opened up about racist abuse suffered during the Serie A win over Cagliari in Sardinia on Saturday.
The French midfielder, 30, pleaded with the referee to intervene during the game to no avail, before telling his side of the story in a Facebook post.
The incident took place in the first half after Matuidi launched himself into a tackle.
Following the tackle, the Juventus star could be seen staring furiously towards supporters in the Sardegna Arena.
In his post on Facebook, late on Saturday night, Matuidi wrote: “Thanks all for your messages.
“Today I experienced racism during the match.
“Weak people try to intimidate with hate.
“I am not a hater and can only be sorry for those who set bad examples.
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“Football is a way to spread equality, passion and inspiration and this is what I am here for.
“Peace. #equalgame”
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Matuidi suffered similar racist abuse during last month’s league game against Verona – with the club fined £18,000.
During the game itself, it took a 74th-minute Federico Bernardeschi strike for Juventus to sink struggling Cagliari.
Juve – currently second in the Italian top-flight, one point behind Napoli – mustered the win over the 16th-placed side to keep the pressure on the Naples giants.
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