Milan:The first Serie A goal in 103 days was marked by scorer Nicolas Nkoulou taking a knee as the Italian league resumed with tributes for the country’s healthcare workers and victims of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nkoulou, who is Black, took a knee in a show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement and in honor of George Floyd after heading in Torino’s opener in the 15th minute.
Torino went on to draw 1-1 with Parma in the first Serie A game since the league was shut down more than three months ago amid the coronavirus pandemic. Torino players wore a special kit with a message for healthcare workers on the players’ jerseys: “Thank you to all the heroes.” There was also a minute’s silence before kickoff in tribute to those who have died in the pandemic. Italy has been one of the hardest hit countries by the coronavirus, with nearly 35,000 deaths. It was also the first country in Europe to shut down its soccer league on March 9. In Turin, Juraj Kucka leveled for Parma in the 31st.
Torino, which had lost its previous six league matches before the shutdown, moved three points above the relegation zone. Parma moved up to eighth, two points below Verona and three off a European spot. On the other hand, Walter Zenga finally got his debut on the Cagliari bench in an eventful match which saw two players sent off. (AP)
