Lukaku Representative Requests Action After Racist Incident

MILAN, Italy — The Inter Milan forward’s management company was outraged after being shown a second yellow card and then sent off for a gesture toward Juventus supporters who chanted racist chants at him.

On Tuesday, Lukaku converted a penalty in stoppage time to win Inter a 1-1 draw in the Italian Cup semifinals.

After scoring, Lukaku put his finger to his lips as if to quiet the crowd.

The opposition side was enraged by Lukaku’s gesture, and the game ended in a brawl between the two teams, with Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado and Inter keeper Samir Handanovic both sent off.

“Tonight’s racist remarks made by Juventus fans in Turin towards Romelu Lukaku were beyond despicable and cannot be tolerated,” Roc Nation Sports International president Michael Yormark said. “He was subjected to hostile and disgusting racist abuse before, during, and after the penalty.” Romelu celebrated victories in the same way he had previously.

After scoring, Lukaku put his finger to his lips to quiet the crowd.

“The referee’s response was to show Romelu a yellow card.” “Juventus owes Romelu an apology, and I expect the league to condemn the behavior of this group of Juventus fans immediately,” Yormark added. “Rather than punishing the victim of the abuse, the Italian authorities should seize this opportunity to address racism.”

On Wednesday, the Italian league released a statement that did not name Lukaku but stated that it “strongly condemns every episode of racism and every form of discrimination.”

“A few people in the stands cannot ruin the soccer show, and they do not represent the views of all fans,” the league stated.

The league judge will almost certainly initiate a disciplinary case into the issue, and Juventus has stated that it will work with authorities to identify the fans responsibly.

During his two stints at Inter, Lukaku, who is Black, has been subjected to racist chants on numerous instances.

SOURCE. – (AP)

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