Ivan Juric, the coach of Torino, was the latest target of racial abuse in Serie A on Saturday when his team won 4-0 at Spezia, ending Roma's chances of making the top four with a 2-1 loss at Fiorentina.
The beating Spezia received on Saturday put them in danger of slipping into the relegation zone, and former Croatia midfielder Juric lamented being branded a “gypsy” towards the conclusion of the first half after the game.
Regardless of their nationality, some football fans often call players from the Balkans and Eastern Europe by the Italian phrase for a gypsy.
Similar taunts from Roma supporters were directed towards Dejan Stankovic last month, and on Saturday, referee Marco Guida had to momentarily halt the game due to the abuse.
“We received the typical taunts; after a time, it becomes downright ugly. It's not kind to anybody at all. Even though the referee did a wonderful job of calming things down, I still don't feel well. It's not okay, that much is clear, Juric told the media.
“When that kind of thing occurs, you tell yourself, 'I won't respond, I won't react, leave it. That's my plan to avoid any issues, but after a time, it becomes downright uncomfortable. You must accept the responses from the public because you are really upset.
A point separated Spezia from the bottom three thanks to an unlucky own goal by Przemyslaw Wisniewski in the middle of the first half and excellent goals from Samuele Ricci, Ivan Ilic, and Yann Karamoh in the closing 20 minutes.
If Verona defeats already-safe Empoli in Sunday's early match, Leonardo Semplici's team will fall into the relegation zone with one game left.
Torino rose to eighth after a straightforward victory, which was excellent news for Lecce, who are two points ahead of Spezia in 16th place.
Lecce play at Monza on Sunday afternoon, but if they defeat Empoli, they may start the match behind Verona.
Roma didn't make the top four.
Roma's slim possibility of qualifying for the Champions League via Serie A standing in a matchup of clubs in European finals was officially destroyed by a late collapse in Florence.
With only one league game remaining, Jose Mourinho's team is four points behind AC Milan, who will visit struggling Juventus on Sunday night. Goals from Luka Jovic and Jonathan Ikone in the closing five minutes turned the game around.
In contrast to ninth-placed Fiorentina, who have one more week to get ready for their Europa Conference League final against West Ham, Roma lined up with a lineup that was essentially second-string in preparation for the Europa League final against Sevilla on Wednesday.
The sixth Serie A goal of the season from Stephan El Shaarawy, who was assisted by Ola Solbakken, gave the opposition the lead in the 12th minute.
However, they must defeat their Spanish opponents in Budapest on Wednesday in order to qualify for Europe's premier club championship.
If Inter Milan defeats fifth-placed Atalanta at the San Siro, they will qualify for the Champions League final, which will take place next month.
With two games left, Simone Inzaghi's team is third and five points clear of Atalanta.
