Cagliari president Massimo Cellino has defended his club's fans over accusations of racist chants.

The 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan was only six minutes old when referee Paolo Tagliavento called a halt to proceedings and ordered a message over the tannoy system urging supporters to stop racist chants from the stands.

"I didn't hear any such chants. I absolutely did not hear them," said President Cellino, who was at the Stadio Sant'Elia.

"At Cagliari we have never been racist. I think there must've been a mistake."

Samuel Eto'o was apparently the target of the chants and he scored the winning goal.

"Perhaps Cagliari even deserved to win considering the number of chances, but if I had paid my ticket today then I'd have asked for a refund.

"There was no verve and I'd never want to see a game like that again. The players lacked the right determination.

"I had no problem with Pierpaolo Bisoli's tactics and it wasn't his fault. We still have some issues finding our grit."