Henry and Richards demand change after Lukaku racism incident

Thierry Henry slams ‘lousy’ UEFA anti-racism gestures and tells referees to show ’empathy’ while Micah Richards says it’s ‘degrading’ black players are being told not to react to abuse after Romelu Lukaku was sent off for shushing Juventus fans

• Inter Milan striker Lukaku was sent off for his reaction to abusive Juventus fans
• The Italian football authorities later upheld the Belgian’s one-match suspension
• Thierry Henry and Micah Richards have spoken out about the situation 

Thierry Henry has expressed his frustration at ‘lousy’ anti-racism gestures by football’s authorities and demanded real action after Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku was punished for shushing fans who’d been abusing him.

The Arsenal legend criticised the lack of ‘common sense’ in showing Lukaku a second yellow card after he stood up to Juventus fans who’d made monkey chants after scoring a penalty against them in last week’s Coppa Italia tie.

The Italian football authorities then upheld the Belgian striker’s one-match ban despite the context of his celebration.

It came as Micah Richards, sitting alongside Henry on CBS Golazo’s Champions League coverage, said it was ‘degrading’ that black players are being asked not to react in such a situation.

Lukaku was on target from the penalty spot again as Inter beat Benfica 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night.

Romelu Lukaku was on the receiving end of racist abuse from Juventus supporters and responded by performing his finger-to-the-lips celebration after scoring a penalty

He marked the goal with his usual finger-to-the-lips and salute celebration, with the context very different to the Juventus game, when referee Davide Massa punished him for inciting the crowd.

‘You need common sense on what the guy has been hearing, he shushes the crowd and it’s a yellow. Really, because of that?’ said Henry.

‘Why did common sense not come into play here and why not have a bit of empathy? If you do not know what empathy means, look it up in the dictionary.

‘If you see someone is getting abused and he stands in front of the crowd in a stoic manner. If he is being cocky and arrogant, yes [he deserves to be punished].

‘He did it tonight. Did he get a yellow? Just because there wasn’t a crowd – or some people – having a go at him. It is the same celebration.

‘I would have done worse than him, if I’m getting abused on the field. I go back to common sense and the Italian Federation keeps the yellow? Wow.’

Former France forward Henry said UEFA initiatives like the ‘No to Racism’ patches on shirt sleeves and joint team photographs before games were achieving nothing.

‘I’ve had enough at looking at ‘No to racism’ on shirts. I’ve had enough of that lousy picture at the beginning of the game when we all come and focus on what’s on the field,’ he added.

Thierry Henry expressed his frustration at inadequate anti-racism gestures such as sleeve badges and joint team photographs as he demanded real change

Micah Richards said it was ‘degrading’ that black players are asked not to react to racist abuse

‘Can we focus on some other places and see what we can do properly about this?

‘I’ve had enough, stop showing the field every time, talking about equality and being diverse because when you turn the camera on the other side to the field, it’s a different ball game.’

Sportsmail columnist Richards was asked how he felt about black players being told not to react to racist abuse in case they further incite the crowd.

Lukaku again performed the ‘shush’ celebration after scoring against Benfica

He said: ‘It’s degrading, isn’t it? He celebrated a goal like he does every single week, he’s been racially abused in the crowd.

‘The referee could have dealt with that situation [better] – how could he give someone a yellow card?

‘He obviously heard what was happening in the crowd and he sent him off as well. This, for me, is what I don’t understand.

‘Then for the Italian FA to uphold the yellow card as well – what sort of message is that sending out? It is almost like they’re condoning the situation, it’s like because it’s not happening to me, I’ll pass it on.

‘For the crowd to be banned for just one week – what sort of message is that sending out?

‘I’m sick and tired, honest to God. All through life you go through this nonsense and you’re always having to talk about it but until real change is implemented we’re going to be talking about the same things over and over again. It’s tiring.

‘We come to play football and enjoy ourselves but we are having to deal with this constantly.

‘Thierry is talking about a thing he had 20 years ago but what happened, they get slapped on the wrist and think ‘we can do that’. It’s not going to change until real change is made.’

Juventus were sanctioned with a one-match partial stadium closure after their fans racially abused Lukaku.

Monkey noises were heard from Juventus fans as Romelu Lukaku took his penalty

Lukaku though could be seen mouthing something in the direction of the Juventus supporters

Lukaku was then shown a second yellow card by referee Davide Massa for his celebrations

Scuffles broke out between both sets of players following Lukaku’s sending off, with Inter captain Samir Handanovic and Juventus midfielder Juan Cuadrado also dismissed after the final whistle.

Lukaku has spoken out against racism on numerous occasions in the past and called on Serie A to ‘take actions for real this time’ following the latest incident.

On Thursday, Serie A ruled the Tribuna Sud section of Juventus’ Allianz Stadium, which has a capacity of around 5,000, must be closed for one match, which will be against league leaders Napoli on April 23.

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