Udinese have released a statement condemning ‘shameful racist insults’ towards Keinan Davis ‘from a player’ in the Serie A game against Cagliari, while Nicolò Zaniolo also lashed out.
There was tension in the final stages of this afternoon’s match at the Unipol Domus in Sardinia.
The formal statement from the club seems to clarify some of the confusion around what happened over the two incidents.
Udinese accuse Cagliari player of racist abuse
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MAY 09: reactions on the pitch between the two teams at the end of the match during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Sant’Elia on May 09, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
“Udinese Calcio expresses utmost solidarity and full support for Keinan Davis, who was subjected to shameful racist insults by a player of the opposition team in today’s match,” read the club note.
“The Club reaffirms its strong condemnation for similar deplorable acts that gravely damage the image and values of the sport that we love.
“Udinese Calcio will defend Keinan in every way and hope for a rapid definition of what happened from the sporting justice system, in which we have full faith.”
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MAY 09: reactions on the pitch between the two teams at the end of the match during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Sant’Elia on May 09, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Although they do not name the player, all indications point towards Cagliari defender Alberto Dossena.
This was confirmed by Cagliari coach Fabio Pisacane, who said he specifically asked Dossena if he had said anything racist, and was assured that he would “never do such a thing.”
Udinese player Zaniolo also lashed out on social media this evening and tried to avoid naming names.
“The colleague (if you can call him that) who today dared to insult my children and insult my teammate purely for the colour of his skin, ought to be ashamed of himself and never again set foot on a football pitch,” he wrote on Instagram Stories.
