Cagliari say they are giving Inter striker Romelu Lukaku their ‘full support’ but have defended their fans from ‘outrageous accusations and silly stereotypes’.
Inter beat Cagliari 2-1 at the Sardegna Arena last night, but the match was marred by Lukaku being racially abused by a group of home supporters as he went up to take a penalty.
Rossoblu supporters are fast gaining a reputation for discriminatory behaviour, having also targeted Moise Kean and Blaise Matuidi in the recent past.
Cagliari say they are giving Inter striker Romelu Lukaku their ‘full support’ but have defended their fans from ‘outrageous accusations and silly stereotypes’.
Inter beat Cagliari 2-1 at the Sardegna Arena last night, but the match was marred by Lukaku being racially abused by a group of home supporters as he went up to take a penalty.
Rossoblu supporters are fast gaining a reputation for discriminatory behaviour, having also targeted Moise Kean and Blaise Matuidi in the recent past.
In an official statement, the club made it clear they were committed to ‘annihilating one of the worst plagues’ but also that they rejected their fans being generalised as racists.
“Cagliari Calcio firmly distances themselves from the despicable events that took place on Sunday night at the Sardegna Arena during the game versus Inter,” it read.
“The Club underline – once again – its intention to identify, isolate and ban those ignorant individuals, whose shameful actions and behaviours are completely against those values that Cagliari Calcio strongly promotes in all their initiatives. Every single day.
“Cagliari-Inter was the right occasion to appreciate and enjoy positive cheer, never addressed against anybody.
In fact, inside our ‘Curva Futura’ – the first dedicated sector in Italy built to host children – both Inter and Cagliari supporters enjoyed a lovely evening together in the name of their passion for football.
“Cagliari Calcio does not want to underplay what occurred last night, endorses the respectable moral values of its people from all the stadium sections, but firmly rejects the outrageous accusations and silly stereotypes addressed to Cagliari supporters and the Sardinian people, which are absolutely unacceptable.
“Our full support goes to Romelu Lukaku and even stronger commitment towards annihilating one of the worst plagues that affects football and our world in general.
“However, as we are aware that technology is not enough, we believe our commitment needs real support from the rest of the football stakeholders: starting from all the true supporters, to all the stewards in the stands, from police and security agents, passing to media and as well through Lega Serie A and FIGC.
“Cagliari Calcio is asking for your help to win a battle that involves everyone. No-one excluded.”