Serie A club Hellas Verona have banned the head of the club's ultras supporters group for 11 years after he made racist comments about Brescia striker Mario Balotelli.
Luca Castellini's comments were made after the clubs met in a Serie A clash at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi last Sunday.
During the game, the former Manchester City and Liverpool forward kicked the ball towards the opposition supporters who were racially abusing him.
An announcement was made over the stadium PA system, after the referee had halted play, threatening to suspend the clash unless the offensive chanting stopped.
Castellini made his offensive comments during a radio interview on Monday.
"Balotelli's Italian because he has Italian citizenship, but he can never be completely Italian," said Castellini.
When asked if Verona fans were racist, Castellini added: "We have a negro in our team and he scored yesterday and all of Verona applauded."
Balotelli responded to Castellini's comments in an Instagram post.
"This has nothing to do with football," said the Italian international. "You are getting into social and historical situations that are bigger than you, you small-minded people."
Verona announced on Tuesday they have banned Castellini, until June 2030.
A statement posted on the club website (translated) reads;
"Hellas Verona announces that it has adopted a disqualification measure against Mr. Luca Castellini which, proportionate to the seriousness of the facts, in the light of the provisions of articles 6 and 7 of the Code of Behavior, since it was a behavior based on considerations and expressions seriously contrary to those that distinguish the ethical principles and values of our Club, it provides for the suspension of approval of Mr. Luca Castellini by Hellas Verona FC until 30 June 2030."
A Serie A disciplinary commission has also ordered the club to close down the Poltrone Est stand for one match as punishment.
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