Racism and tensions. Italian football still 'very sick'

With racist chants denounced by Inter Milan striker Belgian international Rumilio Lukaku yesterday evening in Turin, Italian football has overcome its inability to stop excesses and tensions in its stadiums as incidents have multiplied in recent weeks.

Lukaku was subjected to "racist insults" from Juventus fans during the two teams' 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final when he himself scored the equalizer from the late penalty spot at Juventus, but was sent off after receiving a second warning after his provocative celebrations in front of the home fans when he put his finger to his mouth asking them to remain silent and then a fight with the players.

Michael Yurmark, head of the sports management agency Rock National Sports International, which is responsible for the interests of the Belgian player, said the Belgian did not want to provoke rival fans with this move, which he had "previously celebrated during the net".

"The racist statements towards Romelu Lukaku from Juventus fans are more than hateful and unacceptable," he said in a message posted on social media, explaining in a message posted on social media: "Before, during and after the penalty was taken, he fell victim to hostile and disgusting racist chants. Celebrate in his usual way after recording."

"Romelu deserves an apology from Juventus, and the Italian authorities should take advantage of this opportunity to fight racism, rather than punish the victim." In a video broadcast by Italian media, racist chants are heard from Juventus supporters.

Inter Milan expressed their "solidarity" with their star. Juventus said in a press release that they were "as usual working with the police to identify those responsible for the racist gestures and shouts" yesterday evening.

Serie A also "strongly condemned all chapters of racial discrimination and any form of discrimination", stressing that "clubs will know how to identify perpetrators and exclude them for life from their stadiums".
Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abode and the Belgian Football Federation also called for the fight against racism in two tweets.

It's not the first time Italy has suffered racism in its stadiums with this incident at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, where AC Milan goalkeeper and French international Mike Meignan were insulted in September 2021.
But yesterday's incident took place in a tense context with a proliferation of incidents caused by fanatical masses.