The first leg of the Coppa Italia encounter between the Derby d’Italia heavyweights ended with its fair share of controversy. Following a handball by Gleison Bremer in the penalty area, Romelu Lukaku converted a 95th minute penalty, and after which, his celebrations waxed into a scene of great chaos.
A flurry of red cards followed the penalty goal, with Bianconeri and Nerazzuri players needing to be separated in ugly scenes at the Allianz Stadium. It wasn’t the goal that riled up the Juventus ultras and players, as much as Lukaku’s celebration. He rejoiced with a finger on his mouth, shushing the ultras, accompanied by a salute. Understandably so, given the Belgian forward was the subject to racist and abusive chants before the incident took place.
Racist chants were made against Romelu Lukaku by certain Juventus fans.
(Via @linea_inter)pic.twitter.com/F5K6MSL9h8
— Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) April 4, 2023
The player’s agency ROC Nation has released an official statement, condemning the Juventus fans for their unruly actions against Lukaku.
A statement from the President of Roc Nation Sports International, Michael Yormark on tonight’s incident involving Romelu Lukaku pic.twitter.com/VSrNOupwdh
— Roc Nation Sports International (@RocNationSI) April 4, 2023
Lukaku had received a yellow card in the 80th minute for a tackle and eventually received marching orders for his celebration. He will miss the semi-final return leg at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 26th. A late verbal battle between Samir Handanovic and Juan Cuadrado also prompted Davide Massa to show them red cards.
Romelu Lukaku, Samir Handanović and Juan Cuadrado were all shown red cards in the Coppa Italia semifinals following Lukaku's 95th-minute equalizer ? pic.twitter.com/GHm4XUnhmR
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 4, 2023
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