Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly has thanked referee Massimiliano Irrati ‘for his courage’ to stop play against Lazio for racist chanting.

The match at Stadio Olimpico last night was halted during the second half after the defender was subjected to racist chants from the stands.

Koulibaly responded by thanking Irrati, the Lazio players and fans for their support after the incident.

“An important victory! But tonight I want to thank everyone for the messages of solidarity I’ve received,” he wrote on his Instagram account.

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Lazio winger Keita Balde says he has ‘so much admiration’ for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly after he was the subject of racist chanting.

Wednesday’s clash between the two sides had to be halted by the referee during the second half after discriminatory chants were aimed at the Partenopei defender.

The Aquile forward has come out in support of Koulibaly on his Instagram account today following the event.

“This game is much more than black, white or green,” he posted.

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Stefano Pioli condemned Lazio fans for racist chants against Napoli and admits their home form is a problem.

The Serie A leaders ran out 2-0 winners at the Stadio Olimpico, but play was halted during the second half for persistent racist chants aimed at Kalidou Koulibaly.

“Discriminatory chants should not exist. People need to have values like respect and education, never forgetting them,” slammed Pioli on Rai Sport.

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Maurizio Sarri matched the Napoli club record of seven consecutive wins, but still won’t mention the Scudetto race.

Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon secured a 2-0 victory away to Lazio, keeping them two points clear of Juventus at the top of the table.

“Our horizons are to the next game. Carpi have been doing very well indeed and scared Fiorentina tonight,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.

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Kalidou Koulibaly says Napoli “must not look at the table”, and knew Juventus would be back.

The Partenopei are two points clear at the top of Serie A, but the defending champions are breathing down their necks after winning seven games in a row.

“We knew that Juventus had a great team and they’d be back in the running for the Scudetto,” Koulibaly said on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

“It will be an open League, we’ll do everything to stay in there until the end and then we’ll see where we are.

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Napoli reportedly rejected a €25m (£18.8m) Newcastle United offer for Kalidou Koulibaly this morning.

According to Calciomercato.it, the proposal was made today and received short shrift from director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli.

Napoli have stated Koulibaly is not for sale, but this appears to be the biggest offer on the table so far at £18.8m.

The 24-year-old giant Senegal international, nicknamed K2, is under contract until June 2019.

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Kalidou Koulibaly reveals that ‘Napoli said no to several offers for me, such as €15m from Norwich.’

The centre-back was linked with a move away from the San Paolo during the summer, but has since become a key player for the Partenopei under Maurizio Sarri.

The 24-year-old reflected on the transfer speculation and his arrival in Naples in July 2014.

“Some teams have tried to sign me, but Napoli said no to several offers, such as €15m from Norwich,” he told French outlet L’Equipe.

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Kalidou Koulibaly’s agent dismisses links with Newcastle United - “they’re fighting relegation, he’s at a club challenging for the title”.

The Napoli defender has been linked with a move to the Magpies by the British media, but his representative dismisses such claims.

“Transfer speculation linking him with Newcastle is normal,” Bruno Satin admitted, speaking to Radio Crc.

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Kalidou Koulibaly could sign a Napoli renewal, but his agent warned “there are some offers it’s hard to turn down.”

The defender has become a rock this season under Maurizio Sarri and a firm fan favourite too.

“He is a key figure in the side now and is happy in this squad. There’s a great team spirit that helps,” agent Bruno Satin told Radio Marte.

“I met (Napoli director Cristiano) Giuntoli a couple of times not that long ago. We’ll talk again soon, but there is no rush.

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After an exciting weekend of Scudetto showdowns and relegation run-ins Dave Taylor picks his best XI from Week 16.

Antonio Mirante [Bologna]

The veteran to the rescue again with an early point blank save from Goran Pandev setting the tone and illustrating his radioactive reflexes throughout. Alert at set pieces, his mandatory weekly wonder-saves kept them in it. Commanding.

Edoardo Goldaniga [Palermo]

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