Inter’s Romelu Lukaku demands Serie A action after racist abuse at Juventus

Romelu Lukaku has urged Serie A to take action after he was racially abused during Internazionale’s Coppa Italia draw at Juventus, who said they were collaborating with police to find the fans responsible.

Lukaku scored a stoppage-time penalty to cancel out a late goal by Juan Cuadrado and earn Inter a 1-1 semi-final first-leg draw on Tuesday. During his celebrations, the Belgian striker held a finger to his mouth in front of Juve’s fans. The gesture was judged to be provocative and he was sent off after a second yellow card.

Lukaku, on loan from Chelsea, was also the target of racist abuse from Cagliari fans in 2019, which he condemned but which went unpunished. “History repeats ... Been through it in 2019 … and 2023 again …,” Lukaku wrote on Instagram on Wednesday. “I hope the league really take actions for real this time because this beautiful game should be enjoyed by everyone ...”

The sports agency Roc Nation, which represents Lukaku, described the abuse from Juventus fans as “beyond despicable”. Its president, Michael Yormark, said: “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. The Italian authorities must use this opportunity to tackle racism, rather than punish the victim of the abuse.”

Racism has been a long-running problem in Italian football and authorities have been criticised for not taking strong enough action. On Wednesday Serie A, which organises the Coppa Italia, condemned racism and said “clubs, as they have always done, will identify the guilty individuals and ban them from their respective facilities for life”.

Inter