Monsurat
Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has had his one-match ban, overturned by Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after an angry backlash. The ban was imposed for reacting to racist abuse.
Lukaku received two yellow cards, the second for his goal celebration in front of Juventus fans after a stoppage-time penalty that secured Inter Milan a 1-1 Italian Cup draw in Turin two weeks ago.
The striker held his finger to his lips, in front of the Juventus fans, in a gesture the referee deemed offensive. “It was a response to being racially abused before, during and after the penalty”, said his representatives.
Italy’s Sports Court of Appeal upheld the ban but FIGC President Gabriele Gravina stepped in after assessing the Federal Prosecutor’s office report. Gravina said “The principle of the fight against all forms of racism constitutes one of the founding principles of the sporting order.”
He said that the player “has been the target, on several occasions, of serious, repeated and despicable racial hatred and discrimination, at a level capable of justifying formally unlawful conduct.”
Speaking on the overturned ban in a statement, @romelulukaku said “I am really happy about this decision from the president of the FIGC, who has shown great sensitivity to the situation. I believe that thanks to the intervention, justice has been done and this sends out a great message to the whole world of sport and beyond.”
“This has shown that the desire is there to fight racism”, said Lukaku. Overturning the ban means Lukaku can now play in the second leg of the semi-final in Milan on Wednesday.
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