Roc Nation Sports International, the agency that represents Romelu Lukaku has alleged that Juventus fans racially abused the Inter Milan striker after winning a last-minute penalty on Tuesday night.
Romelu Lukaku was given a second yellow card for celebrating in front of the home crowd after converting a penalty in the 95th minute to force the league game to end 1-1.
It is believed that Lukaku decided to celebrate in front of Juventus’ fans in retaliation to the racial abuse from them.
According to Michael Yormark, head of Roc Nation Sports International, the abuse was beyond horrific.
Following the equalizer, players from both teams got into altercations.
Samir Handanovic, the Inter captain, and Juan Cuadrado, a midfielder, were sent off after the final whistle, and the fight continued down the tunnel.
“Tonight’s racist remarks made towards Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans in Turin were beyond despicable and cannot be accepted,” said Yormark in a statement.
“Romelu scored a penalty late in the game. Before, during, and after the penalty, he was subjected to hostile and disgusting racist abuse.
“Romelu celebrated in the same manner he has previously celebrated goals. The referee’s response was to award a yellow card to Romelu.
“Romelu 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.”
Romelu Lukaku, who was loaned back to Inter from Chelsea in 2022, encountered prejudice during his first stay at the Italian Serie A club, between 2019 and 2021.
After being the target of racial slurs from Cagliari fans in September 2019, he declared that the sport “was sliding backward.”
The leader of the anti-discrimination group Fare, Piara Powar, stated that the Italian football league’s disciplinary procedures were “not fit for purpose” as Cagliari was eventually cleared of employing racist chanting.
In September 2021, Lukaku claims that racism in football is at an “all-time high” and that it needs to be tackled more by players, football officials, and social media.
