The fallout from the Derby d’Italia controversy surrounding Alessandro Bastoni has taken a serious turn, with former RAI journalist Giovanna Botteri publicly accusing the Inter Milan defender of racism against Pierre Kalulu during a television debate on LA7’s programme “In altre parole.”
The comments, via FCInter1908, were made in response to the now well-documented incident in which Bastoni’s simulation led to a second yellow card for Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, who was subsequently dismissed.
Bastoni has since publicly apologised for his role in the incident, admitting he was wrong.
However, that apology has done little to silence his critics, and Botteri’s intervention has significantly escalated the controversy.
Journalist Massimo Gramellini had opened the discussion by suggesting Bastoni had “managed the miracle of getting a Juventus player unjustly sent off, something that belongs to a new world.”
Ex-Rai Journalist Botteri Accuses Bastoni Of ‘Racism Against ‘Neretto’ Kalulu’
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Alessandro Bastoni of Inter celebrates after the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Botteri went considerably further, introducing a racial element to the debate.
“He is also a Black player,” she said of Kalulu. “Black, there is also a racist element here.”
Fellow panellist Beppe Severgnini, a well-known Inter supporter, pushed back firmly against suggestions Bastoni should face extreme consequences.
“From here to turning him into some kind of beast is wrong,” he said.
“If you ban from the national team everyone who has ever simulated, it’ll just be me and Massimo playing.”
Botteri, however, was unmoved.
“He did something disgusting,” she said.
“He got the ‘little Black player’ sent off and then celebrated. Has he apologised? At that point he had no choice, everyone saw it.”
The accusations of racism represent a significant escalation and are likely to draw a strong response from both Bastoni and Inter Milan.