The Sporting Judge has confirmed a yellow card for Dusan Vlahovic after the Juventus forward shushed racist Atalanta fans in a 2-0 win on Sunday, but he will be pardoned by FIGC, just like Romelu Lukaku if the accumulation of yellow cards contributes to a ban.
Vlahovic was targeted by racist chants from Atalanta ultras on Sunday and celebrated his goal by silencing La Dea’s supporters, receiving a yellow card.
Romelu Lukaku faced the same treatment in April when he received a second yellow card in a Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus after silencing a group of racist Bianconeri ultras in Curva Sud. The Sporting Judge confirmed a one-match ban for the 29-year-old and Inter lost their appeal against the striker’s suspension.
However, FIGC pardoned the Belgian striker in a ‘statement against racism’ so Lukaku was available for the second leg semi-final against the Old Lady at San Siro.
It caused a debate on whether Vlahovic and Lukaku were treated differently with Tuttosport newspaper suggesting the yellow card for the Juventus striker should have been revoked by FIGC. However, the Sporting Judge had also confirmed a one-match ban for Lukaku and the FIGC overturned the decision because the striker had been sent off.
Italy’s FA will do the same with Vlahovic if the accumulation of yellow cards leads to a ban this season. As confirmed by Sky Sport Italia, FIGC is ready to treat Vlahovic like Lukaku although it remains an unlikely scenario given that the Serbian striker has received one yellow card in 2022-23 and only four games are remaining in Serie A this season.