[https://www.brusselstimes.com/443628/belgian-striker-lukaku-targeted-by-racist-chants-against-juventus](https://www.brusselstimes.com/443628/belgian-striker-lukaku-targeted-by-racist-chants-against-juventus)

**Romelu Lukaku was the target of racist abuse by Juventus fans on Tuesday night during the Italian Cup semi-final between Juventus and Inter Milan in Turin, his communications agency has said.**

The Red Devil equalised in stoppage time from the penalty spot to make it 1-1, but was later sent off for a second yellow card after celebrating in front of the Juventus supporters with a finger over his mouth.

“Tonight’s racist remarks made towards Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans are beyond despicable and cannot be accepted,” Michael Yormark, head of Roc Nation Sports International, the sports management agency managing Lukaku, said in a statement.

“Before, during and after the penalty he was subjected to hostile and sickening racist abuse. He celebrated in the same way he has celebrated goals before. Romelu deserves an apology from Juventus. The Italian authorities should use this opportunity to fight racism, rather than punishing the victim,” he added.

4 comments

  1. There is nothing provocative in Lukaku celebration; he has done [the same with the Belgian national team without any problem](https://images.vrt.be/w1280hx/2023/03/24/c0d304dd-ca81-11ed-91d7-02b7b76bf47f.jpg).

    IMO, this referee should be sanctioned. Referees and players need more education against racism, and stadiums with repeated racist chants should be fined or closed.

    It is evident that there is [racism everywhere, including Belgium](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/411667/red-card-to-racism-new-report-exposes-rampant-discrimination-in-belgian-football).

  2. They should just forfeit matches with such atrocious racist behaviour of the crowd. And a big fine for the club and everyone that can be identified on top.

    What does the referee do? Send a player who’s the victim of racist behaviour off the field. Why? Is he a racist himself?

  3. Do what they did in the UK: if the fans can’t behave, they can stay home. Playing for an empty stadium sucks, but if that’s what it takes…

  4. Don’t see things improving for the better any time soon. Italy has a neo-fascist party in power. This will just encourage racists to behave even worse…

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