Full Breakdown
Udinese Forward Keinan Davis Accuses Cagliari Defender Alberto Dossena of Racist Abuse
5/10/2026, 7:02:35 PM
Alleged Racist Insult During Udinese-Cagliari Match
On 22 April 2024, Udinese striker Keinan Davis said Cagliari centre-back Alberto Dossena called him a “monkey” in the final minutes of a Serie A game in Cagliari. Davis, who is Black, reported the remark to the referee and later posted an Instagram story naming Dossena and urging Serie A to act. The match concluded with Udinese winning 2-0.
Background and Match Context
Davis joined Udinese from Aston Villa in 2023 after six seasons in England and has scored ten goals in twenty-six Serie A appearances this season. The match had no direct impact on league positions, yet the alleged verbal exchange eclipsed the result.
Official Statements and Club Responses
Udinese released a statement of “utmost solidarity and full support” for Davis, labeling the alleged slur “shameful” and urging sports justice bodies to act swiftly. Cagliari condemned discrimination, expressed surprise and disappointment, and affirmed no racist language was used. Coach Fabio Pisacane said he knows Dossena’s character and trusts his values; goalkeeper Elia Caprile called Dossena a “family man with important values” who denied racist remarks.
Criticism, Opposition, and Player Reactions
Udinese midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo amplified the claim, alleging Dossena also insulted his children and called Davis’s skin “the colour of his skin,” urging the offender to be ashamed. Several Cagliari teammates, however, publicly defended Dossena, saying they have never heard him use such language. The opposing reactions show a split within the clubs and the wider football community.
Conflicting Accounts and Evidentiary Gaps
The dispute centers on whether Dossena uttered the word “monkey.” Davis’s Instagram post asserts a direct slur, while Dossena’s Instagram response denies any racist language and frames the accusation as defamatory. No independent audio or video evidence has been released, leaving Serie A’s disciplinary bodies to rely on testimonial accounts. Zaniolo’s additional allegation of family insults remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Being accused of racism saddens and hurts me,” — Alberto Dossena, Cagliari defender (Instagram)
- “I've known Alberto Dossena for years, I know what values he has, and it doesn't even cross my mind that he might have said certain things," Pisacane said.” — Fabio Pisacane, Cagliari head coach
- “We spoke to Alberto, he assured us that he hadn't said anything racist and we believe him. He is a family man, a man with important values.” — Elia Caprile, Cagliari goalkeeper
- “The colleague [if you can call him that] who today dared to insult my children and insult my teammate for the color of his skin, should be ashamed of himself and never again set foot on a football field,” — Nicolò Zaniolo, Udinese midfielder
Prospective Actions and Investigations
The Serie A disciplinary bodies have been asked to examine the incident. Both clubs trust the sports justice bodies to issue a swift ruling. The decision may shape future anti-racism policies in Italian football and affect monitoring of on-field verbal abuse.
