Raheem Sterling has hit out at Leonardo Bonucci after his astonishing claim regarding the racist abuse his Juventus team-mate Moise Kean was subjected to on Tuesday night.
Kean was the target of vile taunts from the stands as the Serie A leaders won at Cagliari, but was accused of provoking the fans by his team-mate Bonucci.
And Sterling, who has been lauded this season for leading football’s crusade against racism, has branded Bonucci's comments laughable.
In a post on Instagram, Sterling alluded to Bonucci's claim that the blame was '50-50', with the Juve defender alleging Kean had provoked the fans, and responded with a series of laughing faces alongside the comment: 'All you can do now is laugh.'
Kean, 19, was abused all night by sections of the home support, with monkey chants aimed at him, but took a stance of defiance after scoring a late second goal.
The international stood at the post with his arms aloft in response to the chants in the stands.
Juventus players, led by captain Giorgio Chiellini, protested to referee Piero Giacomelli, who was also in conversations with both managers.
Cagliari skipper Luca Ceppitelli went over to the fans behind the goal, appealing for the chants to stop, while France midfielder Blaise Matuidi appeared to gesture to manager Massimiliano Allegri he should take his players off.
Kean's goal added to Bonucci's towering header in the 22nd minute, but the Italian defender decided to criticise the teenager for provoking the confrontation.
'Kean knows that when he scores a goal, he has to focus on celebrating with his team-mates. He knows he could've done something differently too,' Bonucci told Sky Sport Italia.
'There were racist jeers after the goal, Blaise heard it and was angered. I think the blame is 50-50, because Moise shouldn't have done that and the Curva [section of fans] should not have reacted that way.
'We are professionals, we have to set the example and not provoke anyone.'
-Dailymail