Romelu Lukaku sent off after being subjected to racist chanting from Juventus fans
The Belgian forward celebrated a late equaliser after suffering racist abuse from the stands and was shown a second yellow card by referee Davide Massa.
On-loan Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku was sent off in his side’s Coppa Italia fixture with Juventus after suffering racist abuse from Juventus supporters.
Lukaku scored a 95th-minute penalty to equalise in the first leg of the cup tie and celebrated by putting his finger to his lip, a celebration that he has performed without incident in the past. However on this occasion his gesture inflamed the Juventus supporters, some of whom were heard making racist noises as Lukaku prepared the take the kick.
Tempers flared amid the celebrations and referee Davide Massa gave Lukaku a second yellow card for his celebration. Subsequently, Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic and Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado were also dismissed for their roles in the melee.
After the game Lukaku’s representatives, Roc Nation Sports International, released a statement decrying Massa’s decision:
“Before, during and after the penalty, he was subjected to hostile and disgusting racist abuse. Romelu celebrated in the same manner he has previously celebrated goals.”
“Romelu deserves an apology from Juventus, and I expect the league to condemn the behaviour of this group of Juventus supporters immediately.”
Italian Football Federation under pressure to address racism issue
This incident is far from the first time racist chanting has been heard in Italian football. In January French defender Samuel Umtiti and his Lecce teammate Lameck Banda reported being racially abused by Lazio fans. Last Sunday, Roma were fined for racially abusing Sampdoria coach Dejan Stankovic.
In a statement released on Wednesday Serie A responded directly to the abuse of Lukaku the previous evening:
“Serie A strongly condemns all instances of racism and any form of discrimination,” read the statement from Italy’s top flight.
“A few people in the stands can’t ruin football and don’t represent all the fans at the stadium... Serie A clubs will, as they always have, be able to find the individuals responsible and ban them for life from their grounds.”
Inter Milan issued a brief response on Wednesday, offering their “support, affection and solidarity” to Lukaku.
“Football and sport must not only be a place for emotion but also for clear and shared values, and what we saw last night in the final minutes of the Juventus vs. Inter Coppa Italia semi-final in Turin has no place in our sport.”