Inter Milan condemn Romelu Lukaku racist abuse from Juventus fans

Inter Milan condemn vile racist abuse aimed at Romelu Lukaku and tell the Belgian striker to ‘stay strong’ after Juventus fans made monkey noises after he scored late penalty equaliser… before being sent off for celebration

• Romelu Lukaku was subjected to monkey chants after he scored at Juventus
• Section of the crowd chanted ‘f***ing monkey’ after he converted a penalty
• Lukaku was sent off for shushing them during his celebration at end of 1-1 draw 

Inter Milan have condemned the vile racist abuse aimed at their striker Romelu Lukaku after he scored in Tuesday night’s Coppa Italia semi-final with Juventus.

The Belgian striker was subjected to monkey chants from a section of Juventus supporters behind the goal after he converted a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 draw.

Video footage showed Juventus fans chanting ‘f***ing monkey’ and ‘f*** off’ at Lukaku, who was shown a second yellow card and sent off for shushing them during his celebrations.

Lukaku’s representatives Roc Nation insisted was a normal part of his celebration. Lukaku was also seen mouthing something towards the Juventus fans, with Football Italia reporting him to say ‘muto’ – an Italian equivalent of telling someone to shut up.

Inter released a statement on Wednesday morning which read: ‘We are brothers and sisters of the world. Since 9 March 1908 this has been our story.

Inter Milan have condemned the racist monkey chants aimed at Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans after he converted a stoppage time penalty in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final 

After tucking away the penalty, Lukaku celebrated by putting his finger to his mouth in the direction of Juventus fans – and was shown a second yellow card for his troubles

Inter released a statement condemning the abuse, telling Lukaku to ‘stay strong’

‘We want to firmly reiterate that we stand united against racism and all forms of discrimination. 

‘Football and sport must not only be a place for emotion but also for clear and shared values, and what we saw last night in the final minutes of the Juventus vs Inter Coppa Italia semi-final in Turin has no place in our sport.

‘This is why we reiterate our support, affection and solidarity to Romelu Lukaku, just as the world of football is doing from all over since the incident.

‘Stay strong Rom, we stand with you!’ 

Roc Nation in a statement condemned the ‘despicable’ racist insults from fans against the striker, saying he was sent off ‘to punish the victim of abuse’. 

The statement made by president Michael Yormack said: ‘Tonight’s racist remarks made towards Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans in Turin were beyond despicable and cannot be accepted.

‘Romelu scored a penalty late in the game. Before, during, and after the penalty, he was subjected to hostile and disgusting racist abuse. 

‘Romelu celebrated in the same manner he has previously celebrated goals. The referee’s response was to award a yellow card to Romelu.

‘Romelu deserves an apology from Juventus, and I expect the League to condemn the behaviour of this group of Juventus supporters immediately.

Roc Nation have condemned the ‘despicable’ chanting towards their player Lukaku

Lukaku and Juan Cuadrado both exchanged words in the aftermath of Lukaku’s red card

The on-loan striker from Chelsea was visibly frustrated as he walked off the pitch

‘The Italian authorities must use this opportunity to tackle racism, rather than punish the victim of the abuse.

 ‘I am certain that the footballing world shares the same sentiment.’

After what had largely been an uneventful match, things heated up after Juan Cuadrado’s 83rd minute goal was cancelled out by Lukaku.

Following the Belgian’s red card for a second yellow, he was then involved in a shoving match with Juventus scorer Cuadrado.

Cuadrado was then involved in another dispute after the final whistle with Inter Milan keeper Samir Handanovic – which led to both men also receiving red cards.

Players from both teams got involved the situation threatened to turn into a scuffle between those in Inter Milan and Juventus colours.

Inter Milan boss Simeone Inzaghi said that he hoped Lukaku’s yellow card would be rescinded. 

Inzaghi pointed out how Ademola Lookman had a yellow card rescinded after the Atlanta forward was bizarrely booked for his trademark glasses celebration in a game against Udinese back in October.

After the final whistle, Cuadrado and Inter keeper Samir Handanovic were both sent off following a scuffle

‘There will be images and I hope this yellow card will be revoked, as it happened with [Ademola] Lookman, Lukaku always celebrates like this,’ argued Inzaghi.

‘The lad was misunderstood, he received a second yellow card and was sent off. The end wasn’t nice. Now I only think that I’ve lost Lukaku and Samir Handanovic for the second leg, two important players for us.’

Juventus boss Max Allegri said about the chaotic ending: ‘I don’t know what happened at the end of the game, because after the penalty kick, it was all over. It seemed strange to me that nothing had happened during the game.’ 

The situation at the end of the match calmed down, but they are due to meet again in the second leg on April 26 at the San Siro.

Source: Read Full Article