Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku are set to see minimal punishment for the brawl in the Coppa Italia Derby on January 26th. The federal prosecutor closed the investigation and they will be referred just for unsportsmanlike conduct and not for more serious offenses. The remarks of the Swedish star were not considered racist, Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
The two players, who were interviewed on the matter, will be able to plea bargain a fine before going to trial, as indicated by the rules for this kind of infractions. Otherwise, they could be banned but only for domestic cup fixtures, which is where the incident happened.
The strikers had a vehement argument near the end of the first half of that clash. Ibrahimovic was pictured calling the opponent little donkey and making reference to voodoo rituals, which are believed to be related to Lukaku’s mother. The Inter striker replied with several unsavory insults.
They were simply booked by referee Paolo Valeri, who claimed that he did not fully hear what the duo yelled at each other. Ibrahimovic was then sent off for a regular foul later in the game, where the Nerazzurri prevailed.