Inter's Acerbi leaves Italy camp after racist abuse claims

Milan: FrancescoAcerbion Monday left Italy s training camp ahead of two friendlies in the United States after reports he will be investigated for alle...

Milan: Francesco Acerbi on Monday left Italy's training camp ahead of two friendlies in the United States after reports he will be investigated for alleged racial abuse of Napoli defender Juan Jesus.

In a statement Italy's Football Federation (FIGC) said that Inter Milan defender Acerbi had given "his version of events" to his Azzurri teammates and coach Luciano Spalletti "on the alleged racist remark".

The FIGC continued that Acerbi said that he "had no intention of being defamatory, denigratory or racist" but that he would be dropped from the 28-man squad called up to play Venezuela and Ecuador in the build-up to Italy's European title defence.

Roma's central defender Gianluca Mancini replaces Acerbi, who is set to be questioned by the FIGC's disciplinary authorities following Jesus' claim he used a racist insult during Inter's 1-1 draw with Napoli on Sunday night.

Brazilian Jesus was seen protesting to referee Federico La Penna, pointing to the Keep Racism Out badge on his shirt and apparently saying that "(Acerbi) called me a negro".