Two Juventus fans who racially abused Romelu Lukaku in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter last season have had their punishments lightened.
171 Bianconeri fans were given a Daspo – anti-social behaviour orders – after being found guilty of chanting racist abuse towards the Belgian striker during last season’s cup clash at the Allianz Stadium on April 4. Lukaku was infamously sent off for reacting to the abuse.
Serie A has continued to battle racism, with varying results, in recent years and have placed greater emphasis on identifying those responsible and banning them from stadiums. Despite this, incidents are still frustratingly common, much to the ire of normal fans.
As reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, two of the 171 Juventus fans punished for the racist abuse appealed against an aspect of their Daspos, which was accepted by the Turin Police Headquarters.
The pair, aged 23 and 29, play in the amateur leagues in Italy and the anti-social behaviour order banned them from training and playing football. Their lawyers presented the request to the police, who granted the changes, allowing them to return to the pitch.