Football star was racially insulted, then expelled: “Deserves an apology”

Belgium international Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan was insulted and taunted by opposing fans in the cup semifinals at Juventus Turin (1-1) on Tuesday evening.

Amateur videos showed people in the stands making monkey noises and also verbally attacking the black striker.

“Romelu deserves an apology from Juventus and I expect the league to immediately condemn the behavior of this group of Juventus supporters,” said Michael Yorkmark of Lukaku’s management Roc Nation.

Lukaku was sent off

Juventus said they would work with law enforcement to find the people responsible for the racist gestures and statements. Inter tweeted that they wanted to take decisive and united action against all forms of racism and discrimination. “Get the racists out of the stadiums,” wrote the league on its website.

In the traditional duel, Lukaku scored a hand penalty in injury time to make it 1-1 and then cheered in the direction of the Juve fans: he saluted his forehead with his right hand and put the index finger of his left hand on his lips. The referee saw this as a provocation and sent Lukaku off the field with his second yellow card.

“Before, during and after the penalty, Romelu was the victim of hostile and obnoxious racial abuse,” Yorkmark manager said, criticizing the referee for sending him off. The incident must now be used to take action against racism “and not to punish the victim of the abuse”.

Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic and Turin goalscorer Juan Cuadrado also saw the red card for a scuffle after the final whistle. All three pros are suspended for the second leg on April 26.

The highlights of the game: