Allianz, the sponsors of Juventus’ stadium, have condemned the controversy stemming from the recent Derby d’Italia with Inter and will send a letter to the club’s management.
The first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals in Turin was an extremely tense affair both on and off the pitch, with three players being sent off, an on-pitch brawl occurring and racial abuse aimed at Romelu Lukaku.
Juan Cuadrado was handed a three-game ban for throwing a punch at Samir Handanovic, who himself was given a one-match suspension for his part in the brawl. Lukaku was handed a second yellow card for a ‘provocative celebration’, which sparked outrage considering the racial abuse shouted at him from the stands.
Corriere della Sera details how Allianz were left entirely unimpressed with the controversial Derby d’Italia clash, and the CEO of their Italian division Giacomo Campora has announced that Juventus will be reprimanded.
Speaking in a video sent to their employees, Campora said: “I will send a letter to the club’s top management because I consider it absolutely unacceptable that players who wear our brand name on their shirts hold attitudes that are completely reprehensible and on which we don’t admit any excuse related to sporting aggression.”
Allianz purchased the naming rights of Juventus’ stadium in July 2017. The multinational corporation are also the sponsors of Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.