Bari accuse Cremonese player Vazquez of racist insult during 1-1 draw

A scandal has erupted in Serie B after Bari accused Cremonese player Franco Vazquez of racially abusing Mehdi Dorval, leaving him in tears.

The incident occurred just before half-time during this evening’s 1-1 Serie B draw at the Stadio San Nicola.

Dorval was visibly very upset leaving the field and his teammates tried to console him.

It seems Cremonese might’ve had an inkling of what had happened, as they substituted Vazquez during the break.

When speaking to the media after the match, Bari coach Moreno Longo did not hold back.

“I am here to defend Dorval and name Franco Vazquez: you do not say ‘n***o s**m’ to anyone. In 2025 it is completely unacceptable, we need to underline that.

“We all stand with Dorval, he is a sensitive guy and this is sadly not the first time it has happened this season.”

Vazquez risks long ban if racist phrase overhead

According to Sky Sport Italia, the racist phrase allegedly said by Vazquez was heard by the FIGC officials on the touchline and will go into the referee’s report.

Cremonese and Vazquez have not commented so far on the accusations, but if the officials did hear him use a racist phrase, then the Italo-Argentine player will receive a lengthy ban.

Born and raised in Argentina, the 35-year-old had two senior caps for Italy in 2015 and then switched allegiance to Argentina in 2018 for a further three appearances.

He represented Palermo, Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla and Parma before the move to Cremonese in 2023.

Dorval is French-Algerian and moved to Italy in January 2021.

Cremonese are currently fourth in the Serie B table.