Italian Media Brand Inter Milan Star’s Banner Mocking AC Milan Player “Unacceptable” | OneFootball

Italian media have branded a banner waved by Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries mocking AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez “unacceptable.”

Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, argue that the banner was beyond the pale from a perspective of sportsmanship.

On Sunday, Inter held their Serie A title celebration parade.

The Nerazzurri rode an open top bus from the San Siro to the Piazza Duomo through the streets of Milan following their match against Torino. Reportedly, over 300,000 fans attended the celebrations.

At one point during the celebrations, Inter wingback Denzel Dumfries held up a banner.

The banner depicted the Dutchman with AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez as a dog on a leash.

This was a bit of banter aimed at the Frenchman, who has a bit of history with Dumfries.

Both Hernandez and Dumfries were sent off in the closing stages of the derby match in which Inter clinched the title with a 2-1 victory over their city rivals.

This is hardly the first incident in which the two have clashed during derby matches.

Inter President Steven Zhang had urged his players to “uphold Inter’s values” and celebrate in a respectful and sportsmanlike manner when they clinched the title.

However, Dumfries could not resist having a go at Hernandez after the events in the derby.

Italian Media Brand Dumfries Banner Mocking Theo Hernandez “Unacceptable”

This is not the first time in recent years that an incident of this nature has taken place during a celebratory parade.

Somewhat ironically, a high profile incident involved Hernandez himself.

The Frenchman was one of four Milan players – along with Rade Krunic, Sandro Tonali, and Mike Maignan – who had waved anti-Inter banners during the Rossoneri’s 2021-22 title celebrations.,

And Nicolo Zaniolo had also done so during Roma’s 2022 Europa Conference League parade.

In the view of the Gazzetta, though, these kindsof banners are never acceptable.

The banner from Dumfries is a direct personal attack on Hernandez.

Naturally, the animosity from the Dutchman is not without reason. The history of provocation between he and Hernandez is no secret.

But nevertheless, the Gazzetta argue that the banner goes too far.

There will certainly be a fine for Dumfries. But for the Gazzetta, there is a need to further reflect.