Cremonese midfielder Franco Vázquez has been suspended for ten matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Franco-Algerian defender Mehdi Dorval during a Serie B match against Bari on February 15.
Severe Punishment for Racial Slur
The Italian sports justice system delivered its verdict on Tuesday, March 11, after reviewing reports from match officials and the federal commission. The investigation confirmed that Vázquez had directed discriminatory language toward Dorval, resulting in one of the most severe punishments handed down in Italy’s second division.
Invoking Article 28 of the Code of Sports Justice, the authorities ruled that the Italo-Argentinian midfielder’s actions warranted a lengthy suspension, sidelining him for several weeks.
Incident That Led to the Ban
Tensions flared in the closing moments of the match between Cremonese and Bari when Vázquez allegedly used a racial slur against Dorval. The Bari defender, visibly distressed, was consoled by teammates as coach Moreno Longo strongly condemned the incident in his post-match comments.
Despite Cremonese’s initial efforts to downplay the matter, insisting that their player denied the accusations, the disciplinary commission upheld Dorval’s version of events, citing sufficient evidence to justify the punishment.
Italian Football’s Stand Against Racism
Vázquez’s suspension is one of the harshest sanctions for racism in Serie B, signaling a firm stance against discrimination in Italian football. The decision has drawn widespread attention, with many awaiting Cremonese’s next move—whether the club will impose further internal disciplinary measures or continue to back their player.
For Mehdi Dorval, who has previously been subjected to racist abuse, this ruling could represent a significant step in the fight against discrimination on the pitch.
