From the semi-final first leg of the Coppa Italia between Juventus and Inter, we would have preferred to retain the score (1-1) and the match as a whole. But as too often, the pebble of racism has seeped into the boot. According to his entourage, Romelu Lukaku was indeed targeted by nauseating racist shouts during the match, provoking the anger of the player. After holding back beyond the sustainable, the latter finally let out his rage when celebrating his equalizing goal on penalty, in added time.

But he was sent off in the aftermath, for a second warning, after celebrating his goal in front of the Juve fans' stand, finger over mouth.

'Romelu deserves an apology'

"The racist remarks towards Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans are more than despicable and cannot be accepted," Michael Yormark, president of Roc Nation Sports International, a sports management agency managing the interests of Big Rom, said in a statement.


A statement from the President of Roc Nation Sports International, Michael Yormark on tonight's incident involving Romelu Lukaku pic.twitter.com/VSrNOupwdh

— Roc Nation Sports International (@RocNationSI) April 4, 2023

Access to this content has been blocked in order to respect your choice of consent

By clicking on "I ACCEPT", you accept the deposit of cookies by external services and will thus have access to the content of our partners

I AGREE

And to better pay 20 Minutes, do not hesitate to accept all cookies, even for one day only, via our button "I accept for today" in the banner below.

More information on the Cookie Policy page.


"Before, during and after the penalty, he was the victim of hostile and disgusting racist insults. He celebrated in the same way he had already celebrated goals," he added in the text published on social networks.

"Romelu deserves an apology from Juventus (...). The Italian authorities must use this opportunity to fight racism, rather than punish the victim," he concluded.

In Italian stadiums, racist incidents do not stop

Milan coach Simone Inzaghi did not mention Lukaku's insults after the match. But according to the Gazzetta dello sport, videos broadcast 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 Roma and AS Roma were sanctioned for recent behaviour by their supporters, during the derby in March for the Laziali and against Sampdoria on Sunday for the Giallorossi.

  • Sport
  • Juventus Turin
  • Inter Milan
  • Racism
  • Football