Romelu Lukaku’s ban for reacting to racist abuse from Juventus fans is overturned – ‘Justice has been done’

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has said “justice has been done” after the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) intervened to overturn a controversial suspension he was handed for reacting to racist abuse from Juventus fans.

Lukaku scored a penalty for Inter in a 1-1 draw in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg in Turin but was shown a second yellow card for holding a finger to his lips in a gesture the referee deemed provocatory.

Lukaku’s one-match ban was upheld by Italy’s Sports Court of Appeal, but FIGC President Gabriele Gravina announced an “extraordinary and exceptional” pardon on Saturday, and Lukaku will be free to feature in the second leg.

“I believe that thanks to his intervention, justice has been done and this sends out a great message to the whole world of sport and beyond. This has shown that the desire is there to fight racism.”

The decision by the FIGC was made after a report from the Federal Prosecutor’s Office indicated “unequivocally that the behaviour of the player sanctioned by the match director followed the serious and repeated displays of hatred and racial discrimination by the opposing fans”.

Juventus were initially punished with the closure of a section of their stadium – the ‘Tribuna sud primo anello’ – for one game, but the Turin club’s appeal was successful, and on Wednesday it was announced that the sanction had been removed.