Italian football giants Juventus have issued a blistering statement condemning their own supporters after shocking scenes emerged of fans performing Nazi salutes during Sunday's heated Turin derby.
The club has vowed to work with authorities to identify and issue lifetime bans to the "small minority" of supporters responsible for what they described as "thuggish" behaviour that "shames the club and the vast majority of Juventus supporters."
Derby Day Disgrace
During Juventus's 2-0 victory over local rivals Torino at the Allianz Stadium, a group of fans were captured on camera making the offensive gestures. The incident occurred in the closing stages of the match, casting a shadow over the team's performance.
This is not the first time Juventus has faced controversy with their ultra supporters, but the club's response on this occasion has been notably swift and forceful.
Club's Firm Stance
In their official statement, Juventus declared: "Juventus Football Club expresses its strongest condemnation for the grotesque and ignorant behaviour displayed by a small group of individuals during yesterday's match. Such gestures have no place in football, in sport, or in our society. We are already collaborating with the relevant authorities to ensure those responsible are identified and face the strongest possible consequences, including lifetime bans from our stadium."
The club emphasised that these actions do not represent the values of Juventus or the overwhelming majority of its global fanbase.
Broader Implications for Italian Football
This incident adds to the ongoing struggle Italian football authorities face in combating racism and extremist behaviour in stadiums. Serie A has been marred by several high-profile cases in recent seasons, leading to stadium closures and fines for various clubs.
Local politicians and anti-discrimination organisations have joined the condemnation, calling for stricter measures and education programmes to eradicate such behaviour from the sport.
