Mueez Ajao
– A partial stadium ban imposed on Juventus for racist chants directed toward Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has been suspended.
– The Italian soccer federation made the decision Friday following an appeal of the penalty issued by the Serie A judge — meaning that Juventus will be permitted to have a full stadium for its next home game in the league against runaway leaders Napoli on April 23.
– Under the original sanction, Juventus was ordered to close part of the southern end of the Allianz Stadium.
Also Read: Juventus are handed one-match partial stadium closure for Lukaku racist abuse
– The ban had stemmed from incidents during the first leg of the Italian Cup semifinals last week, when Lukaku, who is Black, was subjected to discriminatory chants.
– Lukaku was sanctioned with a second yellow card for provoking Juventus fans by holding his finger to his lips as if to silence the crowd after converting a stoppage-time penalty to earn Inter a 1-1 draw. Lukaku was therefore suspended for the second leg of the semifinals on April 26.
– Lukaku’s gesture enraged the opposing team and the game ended in a scuffle between the two squads, with Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic also sent off.
– Cuadrado was banned for three matches while Handanovic was banned for one game. Each player was fined €10,000 euros ($11,000).
– The federation decided to suspend the partial stadium ban after taking into consideration how Juventus coordinated with authorities to identify the fans responsible for the racist behavior. One fan, a minor, was banned from Juventus games for 10 years, and an adult fan was banned for life.
– Lukaku has been subjected to racist chants on numerous occasions during his two stints at Inter.
– Lukaku’s management company reacted with outrage after he was shown a second yellow card for his reaction to the racist chants.
– “Tonight’s racist remarks made towards Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans in Turin were beyond despicable and cannot be accepted,” Roc Nation Sports International president Michael Yormark said.
– “Before, during, and after the penalty, he was subjected to hostile and disgusting racist abuse. Romelu celebrated in the same manner he has previously celebrated goals.”
