Koulibaly: I am Proud Of My Skin

By Joshua Walters
Napoli's defender Kalidou Koulibaly has spoken out for the first time after suffering racial abuse during his side’s defeat to Inter Milan on Wednesday and says he is proud of his skin colour and roots.

The 27-year-old Senegalese of French descent wrote on his twitter handle he was disappointed to have left the game, but yet also proud of being a resident of Naples and a man.

Koulibaly had been the target of racial abuse during the game before he was sent off in the 81st minute. 

The centre-back was booked for a foul on Matteo Politano and then given a second yellow card for cynically applauding.

Reduced to 10 men, second-placed Napoli went on to concede a stoppage-time goal and lost 1-0. 

Napoli said on their club website that Koulibaly was subject to "racist chants" during the match, but failed to give further details, while their manager Carlo Ancelotti said some fans made animal noises throughout the entire game.

"I'm disappointed by the defeat and above all to have left my brothers," 

"But I am proud of the colour of my skin. Proud to be French, Senegalese, Neapolitan: a man."

The loss still kept Napoli at the second position on the league table with 41 points after eighteen games with Inter Milan behind them with thirty-six points.

In a related development, the mayor of Milan has added his voice to calls against the actions of the unidentified fan(s) and also apologised to the player on behalf of the city.

Giuseppe Sala wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday the chants were disgraceful and an insult to the victim and everyone who was at the stadium to enjoy the game and also socialise.

"Those jeers at Koulibaly were a disgrace," wrote Giuseppe Sala.

"It was a shameful act against a respected athlete, who proudly bears the colour of his skin, and also, to a lesser degree, against the many people who go to the stadium to support their team and be with their friends."