Coppa Italia: Inter appeal Lukaku's suspension

From SportsMediaset

The Belgian had been sent off against Juve for the exultation deemed provocative by the referee after the 1-1 penalty.

Inter announced their appeal against the expulsion of Romelu Lukaku in the excited final minutes of the match against Juventus , the first leg of the semi-finals of the Italian Cup played on 4 April. After the 1-1 goal signed on a penalty kick in full stoppage time, Big Rom cheered with the usual gesture that has become a symbol of the fight against racism but interpreted as provocative (with one index finger in front of his lips and the other pointing to his head ), also at the urging of black and white protests (Cuadrado above all), by referee Massa.

The decision derives from the desire to give a strong signal against racial discrimination, also considering the fact that Lukaku has always cheered with this gesture and in this he has been emulated by various protagonists of the world of football, not least the Lecce striker Assan Ceesay who with the same gestures he exulted this afternoon after the goal against Sampdoria . A few days earlier the entire San José Earthquakes team, which plays in the American MLS, had emulated the Belgian forward, supported by the club: "Change is needed. Eliminate racism from this beautiful game".

On Friday, the National Appeals Court had decided to suspend the one-match ban imposed on the south curve of the Juventus Stadium for racist chants directed at Lukaku during the Coppa Italia match against Inter.