Twitter backlash on Juventus defender Bonucci after claiming racist chants at Moise Kean was his teammate's fault

Steve Dede 16:43 - 03 April 2019

Leonardo Bonucci (EPA)

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci is currently the bete noire of Twitter after he blamed his teammate Moise Kean for the racist chants that were aimed at the young striker during a Serie A game on Tuesday, April 2.

Kean was subjected to vile taunts from the stands in Juventus’ 2-0 away at Cagliari and celebrated a late goal by standing at the post with his arms aloft.

Moise Kean was subjected to racist chants from Cagliari fans and celebrated in front of them when he scored

Bonucci’s comment after the game stating that Kean was 50% to blame for the abuse has infuriated Twitter Nigeria.

The 31-year-old defender has been the subject of criticism on Twitter which made him the number one trending topic in the world.

Bonucci is a shame to humanity'
— Akelloomondi05 (@EvansOmondiAke1) April 3, 2019

Idiot. https://t.co/IaBElqoU9Q
— Calvin 'Emeka Onwuka (@CalvinEmeka) April 3, 2019

Bonucci messed up. Should have shut his mouth...
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) April 3, 2019

Racist Italian football fans jeered Black Juventus player Moise Kean with “monkey chants” the whole game. Moise scored the winning goal & celebrated.

Teammate, Leonardo Bonucci, said fault was “50-50” because Moise celebrated.

WHAT?#CagliariJuventus

pic.twitter.com/bqAobvW5aj
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) April 3, 2019

Bonucci is correct, it’s 50% Kean’s fault for being born black. What a moron.
— BarcAddicts (@BarcAddicts) April 3, 2019

Leonardo Bonucci casually provoking fans after scoring against Juventus...👇🏼

He then claims that Moise Kean was partly to blame for being racially abused because of his goal celebration...

The man has no respect & no morals. A complete & utter disgrace.pic.twitter.com/LbFfUouOom
— SSC Nap⚽️li News (@SSCNapoliNews_) April 3, 2019

After the abuse he received Moise Kean should be able to run up and down the pitch doing this 23 times after scoring for the rest of the match and he still wouldn't even be 0.00000000001% to blame.

In other words, piss off Bonucci. pic.twitter.com/G3FQgLrS9M
— Kristian Sturt - Transfer News (@FootieWriter) April 3, 2019

What Leonardo Bonucci said in response to his teammate being racially abused - that it was partially his own fault - is a prime example of why racism continues to be an intractable stain on society. Because idiots like him would rather play ‘both sides’ than confront it head on.
— Francis Maxwell (@francismmaxwell) April 3, 2019

perfect👏. #Bonucci pic.twitter.com/ncrN23C3OF
— ian® (@ianweil_) April 3, 2019

- Montenegro manager “didnt hear” racist abuse towards Sterling

- Strachan & Co. saying the abuse Johnson would get for being a peado is the same as racist abuse

- Bonucci saying Kean should share blame for racial abuse because he celebrated

This is why racism is still rife
— Dobby Solano (@DobbySolanoNUFC) April 3, 2019

Bonucci blamed Kean for celebrating in front of the Cagliari fans and claimed that it contributed to the racist abuse he received in the game.

“Kean knows that when he scores a goal, he has to focus on celebrating with his team-mates. He knows he could've done something differently too,” Bonucci told Sky Sport Italia.

“There were racist jeers after the goal, Blaise heard it and was angered. I think the blame is 50-50, because Moise shouldn't have done that and the Curva [section of fans] should not have reacted that way.

“We are professionals, we have to set the example and not provoke anyone.”

The likes of Raheem Sterling, Mario Balotelli, Ian Wright and Yaya Toure have also criticised the Italian defender for his comment.

Super Eagles players Leon Balogun and John Ogu also joined in the conversation.

"We're standing united behind you brother ✊🏽 #MoiseKean," Balogun said.

"Wondering how @bonucci_leo19 would react if you do the same thing in front of him after scoring your next goal NoToRacism."

We're standing united behind you brother ✊🏽 #MoiseKean
Wondering how @bonucci_leo19 would react if you do the same thing in front of him after scoring your next goal 🤔#NoToRacism 🚫 pic.twitter.com/tb1G1ojGo8
— Leon Aderemi Balogun (@LeonBalogun) April 3, 2019

"Shocking that a team mate will come up and blame a guy who was Racial abused by the opposition fans . Like WTF is 50-50? Like for real tho. NO TO RACISM," Ogu also said on Twitter.

Shocking that a team mate will come up and blame a guy who was Racial abused by the opposition fans . Like WTF is 50-50? Like for real tho 😔😔😔. NO TO RACISM pic.twitter.com/Zh0Q1Ysgqf
— John Ogu (@ogujohnugo) April 3, 2019

Bonucci's Instagram post is also filled with comments against his opinion on the incident.

The backlash also came for Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri after he failed to defend and support Kean saying the striker shouldn’t have celebrated the way he did.

Twitter Nigeria fume at Juventus defender Bonucci after claiming racist chants at his teammate Kean was his own fault (Twitter)

Bonucci and Allegri became top trending items on Twitter as they got backlash for their blaming Kean. (Twitter)

“He shouldn't have celebrated in that manner," Allegri said afterwards in a press conference reported by the club.

"He is a young man and he has to learn, but certain things from the crowd also shouldn't be heard."

bonucci is not fit to be captain and allegri is not fit to be a coach.

old racist italians should be ashamed of putting down kean's response to racism
— Eric (@hoangbody) April 3, 2019

It's not just Leonardo Bonucci.

Massimiliano Allegri's response to the racist abuse at Cagliari has been pathetic.

He said: "I don't think talking about it all the time helps."

Moise Kean, Blaise Matuidi and Alex Sandro must be perplexed by the lack of support from Juventus.
— Daniel Rouse (@DanielJRouse) April 3, 2019

Bonucci and allegri are fucking idiots! If I was kean or matuidi I’d be off in the summer
— James Horton (@JamesHorton20) April 3, 2019

I believe, if @bonucci_leo19 and Allegri can publicly say
this to their own Moise Kean, they're capable of doing the
worse when no one is watching. Cagliari fans, Bonucci,
and Allegri are all racist. This is 2019. Own up and grow
up! #NoToRacism
— oluwaphemmy (@Messi_less) April 3, 2019

As at the time of this report, Allegri was the number two trend on Twitter Nigeria as fans also criticised him for his comment.