Koulibaly and Napoli return to San Siro after racism storm

Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly and Napoli return to the San Siro on Saturday, a month after racism and violence overshadowed the team's Boxing Day match against Inter Milan, for the first of a Serie A and Coppa Italia double-header against AC Milan.

Carlo Ancelotti's side play an Italian league game against AC Milan this weekend before returning to the San Siro next Tuesday for a Coppa quarter-final showdown against Gennaro Gattuso's side.

Franco-Senegalese defender Koulibaly was targeted by monkey noises and racist chants during the 1-0 defeat to Inter on December 26 and has not played since having been hit with a two-match ban for sarcastically applauding referee Paolo Mazzoleni.

Ancelotti has warned that he will lead his team off the pitch the next time one of his players is subject to continued racist abuse.

The game was also overshadowed by the death of 39-year-old ultra Inter Milan supporter Daniele Belardinelli who was killed when he was struck by a car in clashes before kick-off.

The funeral of Belardinelli, who had been banned from the San Siro between 2007 and 2017 for violence, will take place on Friday.

Five Inter Milan fans remain in prison as the investigation continues.

However Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said there would be no restrictions for Saturday's game, either for tickets sales, or access to the stadium.

Salvini said the decision was made "focusing on common sense, the responsibility and correctness of Milan and Napoli supporters, as well as the professionalism of the police forces."
"I will do everything I can to help AC Milan get back into the Champions League." -
'It can be done' -
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