Napoli Fans Display Kalidou Koulibaly Masks in Support Following Racist Abuse

Napoli fans provided a powerful show of support for defender Kalidou Koulibaly during their Serie A clash with Carpi on Sunday.

Supporters inside the club's Stadio San Paolo attended the match bearing masks of the Senegalese centre-back's face after he was the subject of racial abuse from Lazio supporters during a match on Wednesday.

"

No al racismo: el San Paolo, enmascarado por Koulibaly https://t.co/bFoCJgYQer pic.twitter.com/e9B5wI9uO3

— Goal España (@GoalEspana) February 7, 2016"

Koulibaly was booed whenever he touched the ball by home fans at the Stadio Olimpico, leading to referee Massimiliano Irrati suspending play for three minutes.

The player thanked Irrati after the game, writing on Instagram (via BBC Sport): "I want to thank the Lazio players, but especially the referee Irrati for his courage."

And Koulibaly's own fans made clear their support, filling the ground with printouts of the defender's face.

[Twitter]