Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 5y

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane post messages of support to Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have both sent messages of support to Kalidou Koulibaly after the Napoli defender was subject to racial abuse at Inter Milan on Boxing Day.

Inter will be forced to play their next two home Serie A games behind closed doors as a significant number of supporters inside the San Siro made monkey chants towards Koulibaly during a 1-0 win. 

Responding to the abuse, Mane posted a picture of his Senegal teammate on Instagram. "I am bitter, not to say bruised and dismayed, by what you have experienced," he posted in the caption.

"But I know you well enough that these abominable acts will not reach you at all. We are proud of our race and we will continue to defend it as we defend the colours of our homeland.

"You reminded the world that identity does not compartmentalise."

Meanwhile, Salah used Twitter to object to any form of discrimination in the world. "There's no place for racism in football," the Egyptian said. "There's no place for racism anywhere at all."

After the Inter match, where Koulibaly was sent off for two bookable offences, the centre-back posted on his social media accounts. "I am only sorry for the defeat and above all to have left my brothers," he said. "But I am proud of the colour of my skin; to be French, Senegalese, Neapolitan: a man."

Across the world of football, several other stars also posted their messages of support to Koulibaly. 

Cristiano Ronaldo said "more respect and education" is needed both in the world and in football. "No to racism and any other offence and discrimination," he added, while Koulibaly's Napoli teammate Dries Mertens said the Senegalese was "one of the most beautiful people" he knew. 

Mario Balotelli and Kevin-Prince Boateng, two players who have also suffered racist abuse on the pitch, posted messages on Instagram calling for an end to racism.

Italy striker Balotelli was subject to a racist banner in a friendly against Saudi Arabia in May while former AC Milan midfielder Boateng took the decision to walk off the pitch during a pre-season match due to monkey chants in 2012. 

Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi, whose side will now pay the consequences for their supporters' actions, sent a message to the Inter fans alongside a picture of him and Koulibaly. 

"I am disappointed at what happened yesterday an San Siro," Icardi said. "Let's say STOP to racism and discrimination."

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