Juventus hit with partial stadium closure after racist abuse of Lukaku

Juventus have been ordered to close part of their stadium for their next home Serie A match against Napoli by an Italian sports judge after the Internazionale striker Romelu Lukaku was racially abused during Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final.

The Tribuna Sud section of Juve’s Allianz Stadium will be closed for their game against Napoli on 23 April after racist chants were heard coming from that area during the 1-1 first-leg draw against Inter.

“The supporters of Juventus occupying the first tier of the sector known as the “tribuna sud”, during the 35th and 49th minutes of the second half shouted vulgar and insulting choruses and shouts of racial discrimination against the player of Internazionale Romelu Lukaku,” a Serie A statement said.

The Italian news agency ANSA reported that Juventus have banned two fans from their stadium after video footage of the incident went viral.

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.”