Juventus given one-match partial stadium ban for racial abuse
Juventus face a stadium ban for one match due to racial abuse by their fans. Yet, it is only for one section at Allianz Stadium. The incident in question occurred during the Old Lady’s Coppa Italia matchup with rivals Inter Milan on Tuesday. A contingent of Juventus fans racially abused Belgian international Romelu Lukaku late in the matchup. The striker received the abuse before and after converting a penalty to level the scoreline.
Because of the deplorable incident, Serie A officials made the move to close part of the stadium’s South Stand. The stand holds about 5,000 people. Juventus will now have to play against league-leading Napoli with fewer fans on April 23rd.
Player’s agent asks for harsher penalty than Juventus stadium ban
Following the match, Lukaku’s agency asked for more protection regarding racial abuse. “Tonight’s racist remarks made towards Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans in Turin were beyond despicable and cannot be accepted,” proclaimed Roc Nation’s Michael Yormark. “The Italian authorities must use this opportunity to tackle racism, rather than punish the victim of the abuse.”
The referee brandished a second yellow card to Lukaku during his celebration of the equalizer. As a result, the big Belgian misses the return leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal.
Two fans reportedly arrested for the racial abuse
Reports in Italy claim that police have arrested an adult and a minor for racially abusing Lukaku. The adult picked up a lifetime ban from the stadium. The minor’s ban lasts 10 years at Allianz Stadium.
Juventus issued a statement about their response regarding racism on Wednesday. “Racism and discrimination will not go away from football stadiums with the flick of a magic wand,” the statement read. “However, they can be contained through systematic, coherent, and coordinated action conducted by people who share the same goal: To promote cultural diversity and real social integration in the football world.”
Fellow Italian club Lazio also received a similar partial stadium ban earlier in the week. Lazio fans sang racist and antisemitic chants during their matchup with rivals Roma.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Marco Canoniero