The USMNT star was the subject of racial abuse during Juventus opening game of the 2025/26 season. Juventus wrapped up their Serie A opening fixture with a comfortable 2–0 victory over Parma at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. But post-match celebrations took a dark turn as one player again, became the subject of racial abuse. What’s the gossip? As reported by AP, Weston McKennie, 26, was subjected to “discriminatory racist remarks by individuals in the away section” while warming down with teammates on the pitch. Juventus swiftly responded, issuing a stern statement on social media on Sunday, August 24: “This evening, at the end of the match against Parma, Weston McKennie was the target of discriminatory expressions of a racist nature by some individuals present in the away section, while he was training on the field with his teammates who had not taken part in the game. “Juventus strongly condemns this episode and every manifestation of racism and will ensure the utmost collaboration with the sports justice authorities to identify those responsible. Parma, for its part, echoed the condemnation, with a statement released via the club’s website: “Parma Calcio, in reference to the events that occurred last night after the match at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, firmly condemns all forms of racism and discrimination, both on and off the pitch. “Racial intolerance, or any other type of abusive behaviour, is NEVER tolerated or acceptable and must therefore be addressed, fought, and condemned at all times. “President Kyle J. Krause, along with the entire Parma Calcio team, is fully committed to fostering a culture rooted in fundamental values such as respect, inclusion, and equality.” The Serie A judge, Gerardo Mastandrea, has since called for additional information from the Italian soccer federation’s prosecutor and stressed that Parma must cooperate fully in identifying those responsible. Potential sanctions include banning Parma’s fans from away matches or imposing a partial home-stadium closure A troubling trend in football Unfortunately, this episode isn't unique. McKennie previously endured racist abuse from Fiorentina fans in 2023, resulting in a suspended partial stadium ban. And Racism continues to plague Europe’s football arenas — with the FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently condemning similar incidents during German Cup games as “unacceptable”. More recently, British police took action after a spectator racially abused Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo during a Premier League fixture. The 25-year-old Ghanaian star has advised stricter sanctions be placed on offenders, saying when asked what that punishment should be: 'Could be jail time, it could be banned from stadiums for life, it could be anything along the lines of that but I feel like there has to be something else done.