Dec 22 (Reuters) - Italian Serie B side Chievo have said
that their Nigerian player Joel Obi was the victim of a racist
insult from an opponent during a match against Pisa on Tuesday
but their rivals denied the accusation.
Chievo said in a statement that Obi was "the object of an
infamous and disgraceful phrase that has nothing to do with the
most basic values of sport, ethics and respect."
It said Pisa player Michele Marconi used the phrase "the
slave revolt" towards Obi in the first half of the 2-2 draw.
"Chievo... regrets that a phrase heard by most on the pitch
was not followed by any disciplinary action: neither by the
referee, nor the assistant or fourth official, nor the
federation delegate," it added.
Pisa said the club "distanced itself" from Chievo's
statement, saying the alleged insult was not detected by match
officials or the microphones around the pitch.
"Moreover, our player confirmed that he had not addressed
any insults to the opposing player, let alone racially motivated
ones," it added.
Obi has spent most of his career in Italy, playing for Inter
Milan, Parma and Torino as well as the Nigeria national team.
(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Ken Ferris)