Inter‘s appeal against Romelu Lukaku’s one-match ban in Coppa Italia has been rejected, meaning the Belgian forward won’t be available in the semi-final return leg against Juventus.
The 29-year-old received two yellow cards in the latest encounter against the Old Lady at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. The second one came after his goal celebration, which was seen as provocatory to the opposing supporters.
The Nerazzurri’s appeal to the FIGC Court of Appeal has now been rejected, so Lukaku won’t be available against the Old Lady at San Siro in the second-leg semi-final on April 26.
Lukaku celebrated by silencing critics, as he’d previously done also after scoring goals for his country. This time, however, he had received racist insults from the majority of the 5,000 Juventus fans in the Curva Sud, so he also shouted ‘shut up’ to Bianconeri supporters.
His behaviour was seen as provocatory, so he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Juventus’ Curva was closed for a match following the incidents, but Juventus identified racist fans and banned them from their stadium, collaborating with authorities. Therefore, they managed to win the appeal and their Curva will be open in Sunday’s Serie A match against Napoli.