Juventus handed one-match partial stadium closure after supporters racially abused Romelu Lukaku
Juventus face partial stadium closure for one match after supporters racially insulted Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku during the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final
- Inter Milan’s Coppa Italia clash with Juventus on Tuesday turned into chaos
- Romelu Lukaku was sent off shortly after scoring an injury time penalty
- Fans made monkey noises after the Inter Milan striker scored in the Coppa Italia tie
Juventus have been penalized with a partial stadium closure for one match after supporters racially insulted Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku during the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final.
The Belgium striker fell victim to abuse after receiving a second yellow card for celebrating in front of the home fans as he converted an injury time penalty to give Inter a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
Things came to a chaotic end at the Allianz Stadium when scuffles broke out between the two sets of players, sending Inter captain Samir Handanovic and Juve midfielder Juan Cuadrado off the field after the final whistle.
Lukaku has spoken out against racism on numerous occasions in the past, calling on Serie A to “take real action this time” following the latest incident.
On Thursday, Serie A ruled that the Tribuna Sud section of Juventus’ Allianz Stadium, which has a capacity of around 5,000, must be closed for one match against league leaders Napoli on April 23.
Juventus has been penalized with a partial stadium closure in their game against Inter Milan
Romelu Lukaku was the victim of racist abuse by home supporters on Tuesday
“The supporters of Juventus who occupy the first tier of the sector, known as the tribuna sud, shouted vulgar and insulting choruses and cries of racial discrimination against the Internazionale Romelu Lukaku Bolingoli player during the 35th and 49th minutes of the second half,” said the statement. a statement. read from Series A.
“After considering that, due to the seriousness, scale and real perception of the incident, as well as the repetition of the same behavior mentioned above, the sports judge decides to penalize Juventus with the obligation to play a game in the sector called ‘tribuna sud’, first rank, without spectators.’
As part of the judge’s disciplinary ruling, Lukaku was suspended for the second leg of the cup tie, while Handanovic also has to serve a one-match suspension and Cuadrado is handed a three-match suspension.
After Tuesday’s match, Juventus said the club was “working with police to identify those responsible for the racist gestures and chants that took place.”
Inter also reiterated their stance against racism and expressed their support for Lukaku.
Inter Milan has reiterated its position and expressed support for the Belgian striker