Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has stunned Italian football by hailing long-time bitter adversaries Juventus for rising to the top of Serie A.
"I've been impressed by Juventus. They are doing very well, they're playing well and very efficiently. That's a novelty, it's not something we expected this year but it's happened. AC Milan still have a very strong squad," he told reporters.
Leaders Juventus travel to bottom side Cesena on Sunday hoping their fans behave themselves after another fine for racist chanting in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Lazio.
"Juventus are at the cutting edge of attempts to eradicate racism," Juve sporting director Beppe Marotta said on the club's Twitter feed. "Our youth sector is a sort of multi-ethnic lab, consisting of players from all continents. We ask the media to help us in order to support our club in this fight."
"I am shocked by this news and deny any involvement by the club and myself," he said in a statement.
Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri, whose third-placed club visit second-bottom Novara on Sunday, attended a meeting with the Italian Football Federation's prosecutor on Friday as investigations continue into potential match-fixing and illegal betting in Serie A and B.
"I cannot talk but I am calm," the Italy international told reporters. His lawyers said he has no case to answer.
Parma's on-loan Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga of Kenya has ruptured his cruciate ligament, media reports said.
