President of Roc Nation Sports International Michael Youmark has demanded Juventu’s apology to Romelu Lukaku over racist abuse.
Roc Nation Sports International, who represents Romelu Lukaku released a statement condemning the despicable racist abuse from Juventus supporters against the Inter Milan striker, who was sent off during a match between the two Italian clubs on Tuesday, 4th of April, 2023.
The drama happened after Romelu Lukaku converted a stoppage-time penalty in the 1-1 Coppa Italia semi-final at the Allianz Juventus stadium in Turin.
Midfielder Cuadrado gave Juventus the lead in the Coppa Italia match in the 83rd minute, but Gleison Bremer’s handball allowed Inter to score the extra-time penalty, which Lukaku did.
Lukaku received a second yellow card for his celebration at the 90+5 second mark of the game, which was quickly followed by a confrontation with Juan Cuadrado of Juventus.
It resulted in Samir Handanovic, the goalkeeper of Inter, and the Colombian player, Cuadrado being dismissed after being caught throwing punches.
All these three players will therefore be absent from the second leg of the Coppa Italia game while potential appeals are underway.
The crowd behind Mattia Perin’s goal made some racially insensitive “monkey noises” as Lukaku stepped up for the penalty kick, but he was shown a second yellow card for making a “provocative” gesture at the fans during his celebration.
Recall that Atalanta star Ademola Lookman was cautioned for making his signature “binoculars” motion after scoring in October, so it is not the first time a player has been penalized for an improper celebration.
At the Allianz Stadium in Turin just after Tuesday’s Coppa Italia match between Inter and Juventus, Lukaku was the target of racial taunts from several supporters.
On Tuesday evening, Michael Youmark, President of Roc Nation Sports International released a statement that read; “Tonight’s racial remarks made towards Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans in Turin were beyond despicable and cannot be accepted.”
“Romelu Lukaku scored a penalty late in the game.
“Before, during, and after the penalty, he was subjected to hostile and disgusting racist abuse.
“Romelu Lukaku celebrated in the same manner he has formerly celebrated goals, the referee’s response was to award a yellow card to Lukaku.
“Lukaku deserves an apology from Juventus, and I expect the League to condemn the behavior of this group of Juventus supporters immediately.”
“The Italian authorities must use this opportunity to tackle racism, rather than punish the victim of the abuse”.
However, Serie A condemned all instances of racism in Italian football on Wednesday, 5th of April, 2023.
Lukaku had adopted a similar celebration during his scorching form over the international break, while never specifically directed at the home crowd.
This is a critical time for the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to address a persistent issue in their country’s sport.
The incident on Tuesday was by no means the first time a black player had experienced racial abuse.
Mario Balotelli was one of the earliest and heaviest victim, but Samuel Umtiti of Lecce was also the target of such hatred as recently as January of this year.
Lukaku, who spent 2019–2021 at Inter before returning there on loan from Chelsea last summer, was subjected to racial abuse during his first stint at Inter.
After enduring racial abuse at the hands of Cagliari fans in September 2019, he declared that the sport “was moving backward.”
Allegations of racial insults directed against Lukaku by Napoli fans prompted an investigation by Serie A in January.
Lukaku claimed that racism was at an “all-time high” in the sport in September 2021 and that players, football authorities, and social media could all do more to combat it.
