Inter Milan have reacted to the suspension of striker Romelu Lukaku after he celebrated a goal amid racial abuse by Juventus fans.
The Italian giants on Friday expressed their disappointment as the one-match ban for the Belgian was upheld despite their appeal.
Inter confirmed that the player was wrongly punished amid racial abuses by Juventus fans in the Coppa Italia semi-final matchup.
Lukaku will however remain suspended as Inter Milan welcome Juventus on Wednesday after the club’s appeal was rejected by Italy’s Sports Court Of Appeal.
The former Chelsea striker was subject of racial abuse during the first leg of the Copa Italia semi-finals and this happened “before, during, and after the penalty” he had scored to earn Inter a 1-1 draw in the match.
The Belgium international was later sent off after receiving the second yellow card for his celebration which he held his finger up to his mouth in front of the home fans.
This gesture according to some sections, was a provocative celebration.
Juventus were later on ordered to close down the Tribuna Sud section of their stadium after racist chants were heard from the area.
This ban was also overturned by the federation following Juventus’s appeal against it.
The racial chants in the stadium sparked several condemnations from people around the world, including Kylian Mbappe and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
After the game, Lukaku took to his Instagram to talk about the abuses, he said: “History repeats itself.”
He added that a similar incident happened 3 years ago in which they made monkey chants against him. He said; “Been through it in 2019… and 2023 again…”
How Inter Milan Reacted To The Suspension
Inter Milan in a statement said: “The FIGC’s National Court of Appeal today confirmed the suspension of Romelu Lukaku, who will be unable to participate in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final.”
“FC Internazionale Milano feels it must consolidate its support for the player and expresses great sorrow at the fact that the victim has become the only guilty party.”
Racism in Football
Racism in association football is the abuse of players, officials, and fans because of their skin color, nationality, or ethnicity.
Some may also be targeted because of their association with opposing teams, there have also been instances of players targeted by their own fans.
Racism in football has been most studied in the European Union and Russia, although racist incidents have been reported abroad.
FIFA in May 2013, announced new measures to deal with racism in the sport in response to racist incidents at association football matches.
The topic of racism in association football has been widely covered by the media as well as academic studies.
Despite all these studies as to why fans take this route, there are still people who are warning up to carry out another round of racial abuse.
