Inter striker Romelu Lukaku was sent off in stoppage time in the first leg of the Italian Cup semi-finals, which Inter played in Turin against Juventus, on Tuesday evening. It happened after he scored a 1-1 goal from the penalty spot and due to the subsequent celebration that the referee considered excessive also because it was done under the curve of the opposing fans, some of whom during the match (and especially before his kick de rigueur) racial insults were directed at him. Lukaku gave a military salute and put his finger in front of his mouth already in a nod He did In the national team a few days ago and its meaning is not entirely clear, although it was said to be a tribute to fellow national team member Jeremy Duques. The referee warned him, and because of an earlier warning, he was sent off.
(Marco Albuzzi/La Presse)
by organizing (Page 95Rejoicing can be penalized with a yellow card if it is deemed sarcastic or provocative, it is likely that the referee judged it in this way, and did not understand or assess that it could have been done in response to the racial slurs. Following Lukaku’s expulsion, Juan Cuadrado of Juventus and Samir Handanovic of Inter were expelled.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said Lukaku was “misunderstood” and that he was “always happy like that”. Roc Nation Sports International, the sports agency representing Lukaku, he wrote In a statement “before, during and after” Lukaku’s goal “was subjected to hostile and disgusting racist abuse” and that he “celebrated in the same way he cheered for the previous goals”.
Leave a Reply