Messina's Zoro threatens to halt match after racial abuse

Messina's Ivory Coast defender Zoro threatened to halt a Serie A game yesterday after suffering racial abuse from travelling Inter fans.

Zoro picked up the ball in the 66th minute and headed off the field towards the fourth official before other players, including Inter's Brazilian forward Adriano and Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins, persuaded him to continue.

"I was treated badly and can't have that. Away from home they can do what they want, I'm used to that, but not at my home ground. I took the responsibility and took the ball to the fourth official," he told Sky Sport.

The defender said that Adriano and Martins had apologised for the behaviour of the Inter supporters but asked him to continue the match.

Inter president Giacinto Facchetti apologised for the behaviour of the fans: "Unfortunately these are things that happen often but Inter has always stood against racism," he said.

Parma's Senegalese defender Ferdinand Coly said he wanted the game's governing body FIFA to take stronger action over racism.

"I want to ask FIFA to do something - there isn't a lot we can do but they have to do more," he said.