Bastoni forced to silence fans on social media after insults following Derby d’Italia

Alessandro Bastoni has been forced into silencing the fans on his social media platforms after receiving countless insults and threats in the aftermath of the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus on Saturday night. 

Bastoni blocks supporters after Derby d’Italia insults

The Nerazzurri were victorious in a dramatic 3-2  thriller against their arch rivals on Saturday evening thanks to an own goal from Andrea Cambiaso and individual efforts from Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski. 

The game was not without its controversies, though, as Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu was wrongly sent off in the 42nd minute for a second bookable offence. 

Bastoni was right in the middle of the drama, as he dived under the apparent challenge of Kalulu in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. Referee Federico La Penna immediately reached for his cards and dismissed the Frenchman. 

Bastoni was seen celebrating the decision, despite the fact that replays showed he had clearly dived in order to sell the referee. To make matters worse for Juventus, Bastoni himself had been on a yellow card at the time, which meant that he would have been sent off had he been booked for simulation. 

Bastoni has faced plenty of criticism in the hours since the derby ended, from fans, referees and pundits and even some who have called for him to be dropped from the Italy national team squad.

Some have taken matters one step further and sent insults to Bastoni directly, which has led to his having to turn off the comments on all of the posts on his Instagram profile. The 26-year-old has not commented publicly since the end of the derby.