
Juventus has been given a partial stadium ban for its next home game in the Italian Cup. This was after some of its supporters directed racist chants at Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku was punished with a second yellow card for provoking Juventus fans by holding his finger to his lips as if to silence the crowd. He converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn Inter a 1-1 draw in Tuesday’s first leg of the semifinals.
BREAKING: Juventus have been given a partial stadium ban after Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku was subjected to racist abuse during their Coppa Italia semi-final 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/LrWjhdn4vJ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 6, 2023
Lukaku was suspended for the second leg of the semifinals on Thursday, April 26, by an Italian league judge. Lukaku’s gesture enraged the opposing team. The game ended in a scuffle between the two squads, with Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic also sent off.
Cuadrado was banned for three matches, while Handanovic was banned for one game. Each player was fined 10,000 euros ($11,000). Part of the southern end of the Allianz Stadium will be closed for Juventus’ first home game in next season’s Italian Cup. Juventus said it would collaborate with authorities to identify fans responsibly. Lukaku’s management company reacted with outrage to the yellow card handed to the centre forward.
“The Italian authorities must use this opportunity to tackle racism rather than punish the victim of abuse,” Roc Nation Sports International president Michael Yormark said.
A statement from the President of Roc Nation Sports International, Michael Yormark on tonight’s incident involving Romelu Lukaku pic.twitter.com/VSrNOupwdh
— Roc Nation Sports International (@RocNationSI) April 4, 2023