Inter Milan: Lukaku ban lifted after racism scandal

Inter striker

After the racism scandal in Italian football, the association has lifted the suspension of Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku for the second leg in the cup semifinals against Juventus Turin. Association President Gabriele Gravina took this “extraordinary measure” for next Wednesday’s game in Milan, the association announced.

community
Discuss now in the Italy forumThis way
The 29-year-old Chelsea player was sent off in the first leg with yellow-red. The referee had interpreted Lukaku’s jubilation after his penalty goal in added time to make it 1-1 as a provocation. However, the striker was racially insulted and taunted by opposing fans during the game. Amateur videos showed people in the stands making monkey noises and also verbally attacking the striker. The case caused a sensation in world football. The association justified the lifting of the ban with the fact that Lukaku was “exposed to multiple serious, repeated and regrettable expressions of hate and racial discrimination”, which could not formally justify behavior that is not in accordance with the regulations.

Gravina also justified the step with the “fight against all forms of racism”. Lukaku welcomed the decision. “I believe justice has been done and a big signal has been sent to the whole sporting world and beyond,” the 29-year-old was quoted as saying in a statement by Inter. It has been shown that there is a will to fight racism. The Belgium record goalscorer and €113m highest-priced sale in Inter history will return to London in the summer after a mediocre loan, where his contract runs until 2026.

To home page