Serie A refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi confirms a change of approach after Romelu Lukaku and Dusan Vlahovic controversy. ‘Players subjected to racist abuse will not be booked, unless of course they go over the top.’
There were several incidents that hit the headlines this season, because referees continued to insist the protocol is to show a yellow card to any player who celebrates a goal in ‘provocatory’ fashion towards the opposition fans.
This was also used in error for Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman, who always does the binoculars gesture as a joke on his name, but above all against Lukaku and Vlahovic after they were responding to racist abuse from the stands.
“We referees of all people know what it means to be insulted, especially in the lower leagues,” said refereeing designator Rosetti.
“It is not right to punish the victims. If players receive racist abuse and protest towards the crowd, they will no longer receive a yellow card, unless of course they go over the top.”
Lukaku’s situation was even more dramatic because it was his second yellow card in the Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus and the ban would’ve ruled him out of the second leg.
Instead, the FIGC made the unprecedented decision to suspend the ban, because a regular appeal would’ve been unsuccessful.
Referees argued they were following the protocol by booking Lukaku, but now this new guidance has given some more leeway to turn a blind eye.