Romelu Lukaku’s administration firm reacted with outrage after the Inter Milan ahead was proven a second yellow card after which despatched off for a gesture towards Juventus followers who directed racist chants at him.
The incident occurred after Lukaku transformed a penalty in stoppage time to earn Inter a 1-1 draw within the Italian Cup semifinals on Tuesday.
Lukaku held his finger to his lips as if to silence the gang after scoring.
Lukaku’s gesture enraged Juventus gamers and the sport led to a scuffle between the 2 squads, with Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic additionally despatched off.
“Tonight’s racist remarks made in the direction of Romelu Lukaku by Juventus followers in Turin have been past despicable and can’t be accepted,” Roc Nation Sports activities Worldwide president Michael Yormark mentioned. “Earlier than, throughout, and after the penalty, he was subjected to hostile and disgusting racist abuse. Romelu celebrated in the identical method he has beforehand celebrated targets.
“The referee’s response was to award a yellow card to Romelu. Romelu deserves an apology from Juventus, and I anticipate the league to sentence the behaviour of this group of Juventus supporters instantly,” Yormark added. “The Italian authorities should use this chance to sort out racism, fairly than punish the sufferer of the abuse.”
The Italian league on Wednesday issued a press release through which Lukaku was not named however mentioned that it “strongly condemns each episode of racism and each type of discrimination.”
“A couple of folks within the stands can not destroy the soccer present and do not characterize the ideas of all of the followers,” the league mentioned.
The league choose will seemingly open a disciplinary case into the matter, whereas Juventus mentioned it might collaborate with authorities to establish the followers accountable.
It mentioned: “Juventus Soccer Membership, as at all times, are collaborating with the police to establish these accountable for the racist gestures and chants which passed off final night time. The Codice di Gradimento will likely be utilized to these accountable.”
Lukaku, who’s Black, has been subjected to racist chants on quite a few events throughout his two stints at Inter.
Lukaku, on mortgage at Inter from Chelsea, was additionally the goal of offensive chants in 2019, which he condemned in a social media submit on the time.
“Historical past repeats… Been via it in 2019.. and 2023 once more..,” Lukaku mentioned in a submit on Instagram on Wednesday.
“I hope the league actually take actions for actual this time as a result of this stunning recreation needs to be loved by everybody…”
Racism has been a long-running drawback in Italian soccer and authorities have been criticised for not taking robust sufficient motion.
Info from Reuters was included on this report.