Minister Abodi calls for strong action after ‘unacceptable’ Folorunsho insults go unpunished

CESENA, ITALY – MAY 24:Andrea Abodi during the Women Supercup match betweeen AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Dino Manuzzi Stadium on May 24, 2024 in Cesena, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi warns that the Lega Serie A must clamp down on insults between players after the Mario Hermoso and Michael Folorunsho controversy.

The Minister spoke to reporters at a political event and was asked several questions on the current Calcio landscape.

Although he did not specifically name anyone, it was evident he was talking about last week’s ugly clash between Cagliari midfielder Folorunsho and Roma defender Hermoso.

Abodi wants action against unacceptable insults

“If a coach does not think he must also be an educator, then something really isn’t adding up,” said Abodi.

“It also doesn’t add up when a professional on the field makes a violent and unacceptable insult towards the mother of an opponent. When that happens, it cannot just end with a pat on the back.

“Aside from simple politeness, that is anti-sporting behaviour, it is against the rules of the sport. And we have seen too often that people hide behind the interpretation of the rules.

“The behaviour of professionals must be exemplary.”

Hermoso and Folorunsho were spotted having an intense argument at one point during Cagliari’s 1-0 win over Roma last week.

Hermoso later complained that Folorunsho had taken ‘trash talk’ too far and made comments about the player’s mother, but there has been no disciplinary action taken.

This is because although there is very clear video footage of what was said, including ‘your mother is a w***e and she needs to die,’ video evidence can only be used by the Disciplinary Committee for certain incidents.

That does include blasphemy, which is the worst type of swearing in Italian football, but not vile insults like this.

“I am not being a spoilsport here, but I do believe that considering the media visibility that players have, this carries with it a sense of responsibility,” continued Minister for Sport Abodi.

“There also has to be a disciplinary mechanism that can take action and make people realise this is not ok, because if they are allowed to insult like this, then they feel authorised to continue doing it.

“Insults we see in Serie A then will prompt even worse insults in the third division or the under-15 teams. Every gesture can be read as educational or damaging.”