Following Inter Milan’s Tuesday face-off with Juventus in the Coppa Italia, Romelu Lukaku encountered racial harassment from several spectators at Allianz Stadium in Turin.
Roc Nation Sports Advocates for Justice in Racist Incident
Established in 2013, Roc Nation Sports marked the entry of renowned rapper Jay-Z into the realm of sports representation. The agency has since grown and now represents high-profile soccer player Romelu Lukaku, who plays for Inter Milan and Belgium’s national team.
Racist Incident and Roc Nation’s Response
Following Inter Milan’s Coppa Italia match against Juventus on a Tuesday, Lukaku experienced racist abuse from a group of fans at Allianz Stadium in Turin. This prompted Roc Nation Sports to issue a statement and appeal to Italian soccer authorities. Michael Yormark, president of Roc Nation Sports, shared his thoughts on the situation.
Yormark revealed that Romelu Lukaku faced hostile and disgusting racist abuse before, during, and after scoring a penalty late in the game. He added that Lukaku’s celebration was consistent with how he had previously celebrated goals. Yormark urged Italian authorities to use this opportunity to address racism and not punish the victim.
Game Incident and Consequences
The racist incident transpired after Lukaku scored a late penalty, tying the game at 1-1 against Juventus in the first leg of the semifinal match. He claims that racist chants and sounds persisted throughout the game. In response, Lukaku shushed the crowd during his celebration at the 90 5′ mark.
The celebration led to Romelu Lukaku receiving a second yellow card, followed by a skirmish with Juventus player Juan Cuadrado. The Colombian player was dismissed after throwing a punch, as was Inter’s goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic. Consequently, all three players might miss the second leg of the Italian Cup match, pending appeals.