Lukaku sent off for ‘shush’ celebration for 95th-minute Inter Milan leveller after being subjected to ‘racist chanting’
ROMELU LUKAKU was sent off for over-celebrating his 95th-minute penalty equaliser for Inter Milan at Juventus after being subjected to racist chanting.
Juve scorer Juan Cuadrado and Inter keeper Samir Handanovic were also dismissed in the Italian Cup semi-final first-leg flare-up.
Sub Lukaku earned his costly second yellow card for "excessive celebration" after the loan striker from Chelsea cranked up the hostile atmosphere with a silencing gesture to the home crowd.
His actions came in response to racist chanting, with his representatives Roc Nation Sports calling on the Italian authorities to take action against Juventus.
They released a statement which reads: "Tonight's racist remarks made towards Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans in Turin were beyond despicable and cannot be accepted.
"Romelu scored a penalty late in the game. Before, during, and after the penalty, he was subjected to hostile and disgusting racist abuse.
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"Romelu celebrated in the same manner he has previously celebrated goals. The referee's response was to award a yellow card to Romelu.
"Romelu deserves an apology from Juventus, and I expect the League to condemn the behaviour of this group of Juventus supporters immediately.
"The Italian authorities must use this opportunity to tackle racism, rather than punish the victim of the abuse.
"I am certain that the footballing world shares the same sentiment."
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Yet Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri claimed after the triple-red finale: "It's nothing, just a bit of chaos at the end of a balanced game
"We knew it would be difficult. Although they were coming off a difficult period, they are still Inter and proved it tonight."
But the controversial ending underlined the pressure being felt at Inter, especially by boss Simone Inzaghi.
They are down to fourth - behind big rivals AC Milan - following three straight Serie A defeats.
And it could mean Inzaghi's future depends on Inter's cup form.
Apart from this domestic tie against Juve, they face Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals this month.
Juventus and Inter had both gone close before the tie seemed to be drifting towards a goalless stalemate.
But then Colombia winger Cuadrado fired a long-range opener on 83 minutes and danced for joy.
Lukaku, though, slotted a spot-kick leveller after Juve defender Gleison Bremer handled.
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But the Belgium hero paid dearly for apparently taunting the crowd by putting his finger to his lip.
That motion of silence turned up the volume - and all three players dismissed will miss the second leg on April 26.