Il Corriere dello Sport editor Ivan Zazzaroni argues that Romelu Lukaku’s ban should be removed ‘as a sign of civilisation and growth.’
The 29-year-old has been given a one-match ban and will miss the Coppa Italia semi-final return leg against Juventus in three weeks after receiving a red card in the first leg in Turin on Tuesday.
Lukaku received two yellow cards, the second one for a goal celebration that was considered provocatory for the opposition fans.
The Belgian forward had been targeted by racist insults by some Bianconeri supporters and the Curva Sud at the Allianz Stadium has therefore been closed for a game.
“Referee Massa sent off Lukaku for an excessive celebration in front of Juventus fans in Curva Sud,” noted Zazzaroni in his column for Corriere dello Sport on Friday.
“He didn’t give the due weight to insults and verbal rubbish thrown at the Inter striker. [Sporting Judge] Gerardo Mastrandrea could only apply the rule confirming a one-match ban as a consequence of the red card.
“Mastrandrea is the same sporting judge who dealt with the Muntari case six years ago. The midfielder, then at Pescara, was targeted by racist chants by Cagliari fans and, following the loud protests for the lack of suspension of the game, received a red card. In the second instance, the Court of Appeal removed the ban for the Ghanaian.
“Inter won’t appeal, pursuing a historic decision: the growth of our football also passes through a convinced and energetic stance, in some ways ‘revolutionary’ which is the removal of a ban for a player victim of racism.”
Lukaku is available for Friday’s Serie A match against Salernitana and is expected to start at the Stadio Arechi.
Juventus have identified two fans who racially abused Lukaku on Tuesday, an adult and a minor, banning the former for life from the Allianz Stadium.