Inter Milan Defender Lifts Lid On “Lack Of Respect” From Italy Coach That Led To Falling-Out | OneFootball

Inter Milan veteran Francesco Acerbi has opened up about his strained relationship with Luciano Spalletti in his autobiography, revealing how he felt “abandoned” by the coach over an alleged incident between the Italian and Juan Jesus.

Acerbi was accused of making racist remarks to the Brazilian defender in a match against Napoli.

However, the case was eventually dropped due to a lack of evidence.

In March 2024, Acerbi was dropped by Spalletti as a result of the chaos surrounding the incident.

In his book, Acerbi wrote, with quotes via FCInter1908, “The hardest thing to accept was that the coach who should have defended me chose to abandon me.”

Acerbi “Felt Abandoned” By Spalletti During 2024 Racism Allegations

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 26: FC Internazionale coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Empoli FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 26, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Acerbi opened up more about the situation, writing “When respect isn’t there, silence weighs twice as much.”

“Surprisingly, I got a phone call from Spalletti,” Acerbi said.

“Who told me to come to training, apologise to my teammates and then go home.

“Without explanation or possibility to discuss it.”

The former Lazio man revealed how even after he was declared innocent, some of the consequences were irreversible.

“A few days later, on 26 March 2024, justice cleared me of the accusations

“But by then the damage had been done.”

Acerbi also recalled a press conference shortly after the incident where Spalletti insulted the defender’s age, insinuating the Italian was “finished.”

“Those words made me realise that the attention and respect for me were no longer there.”

Finally, the former Sassuolo player explained why he rejected Spalletti when the coach called him up in May 2025.

“When he called me again, without any clarification, I said no,” Acerbi admitted.

“I didn’t want to live such an important experience just to fill a hole, I deserved more, I deserved respect.”