The suspension of Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku, following a controversial red card in the Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus, has been overturned by the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina.
Lukaku was shown a second yellow card for a ‘provocative celebration’ after scoring a goal, where he shushed the supporters and covered his ears, in response to racist abuse he had been subjected to during the game.
Despite Inter’s appeal, Italy’s Sports Court of Appeal upheld the ban. However, the FIGC president overturned the decision, citing the ‘serious and repeated displays of hatred and racial discrimination by the opposing fans’.
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“The measure reiterates how the fight against all forms of racism constitutes one of the founding principles of the sporting system,” the statement added.
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Lukaku later thanked the FIGC president for his understanding of the matter.
“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,” the Chelsea loanee said.
“This has shown that the desire is there to fight racism.”
The decision leaves Lukaku free to face Juventus in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on 26 April. The score is tied at 1-1 after Lukaku’s 95th-minute penalty cancelled out Juan Cuadrado’s goal.
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