From the semi-final first leg of the Italian Cup between Juventus and Inter, we would have preferred to retain the score (1-1) and the meeting as a whole. But as too often, the pebble of racism has infiltrated the Boot. According to his entourage, Romelu Lukaku was indeed targeted by nauseating racist cries during the meeting, angering the player.
After having held back beyond the sustainable, the latter ended up letting his rage burst when celebrating his equalizing goal from the penalty spot, in added time. But this celebration in front of the tribune of Juve supporters, finger on the mouth, earned him a second warning and therefore to be excluded.
“Romelu deserves an apology”
“Racist remarks towards Romelu Lukaku from Juventus supporters are more than despicable and cannot be accepted,” said Michael Yormark, president of Roc Nation Sports International, a sports management agency managing the interests of “ Big Rome”.
“Before, during and after the penalty, he was the victim of hostile and sickening racist insults. He celebrated the same way he had already celebrated goals, ”he added in this text published on social networks. “Romelu deserves an apology from Juventus (…). The Italian authorities must use this opportunity to fight racism, rather than punishing the victim,” he concluded.
In Italian stadiums, racist incidents do not stop
The Milan coach, Simone Inzaghi, did not mention the insults aimed at Lukaku after the match. But according to the Gazzetta dello sportvideos posted on social networks confirm racist insults towards the Belgian striker.
In September 2021, AC Milan and France goalkeeper Mike Maignan was the target of racist abuse during a match in Turin against Juventus. Racist or anti-Semitic incidents are legion in Italian stadiums. On Tuesday, Lazio Rome and AS Roma were sanctioned for recent behavior by their supporters, during the derby in March for the Laziali and against Sampdoria on Sunday for the Giallorossi.