Thierry Henry and Micah Richards slam Romelu Lukaku’s suspension for reacting to racial slurs

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Thierry Henry and Micah Richards have slammed the Italian Football Federation’s decision to uphold Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukakus’ red card which he received after responding to racist abuse from some of the fans at the Juventus.

Lukaku, who had been the victim of racist chanting from home fans throughout the game, scored a 95th-minute penalty to draw Inter on April 4 and celebrated the goal by silencing the fans premises.

Referee Davide Massa has decided to issue the Belgium international a second yellow card, a decision the federation has upheld meaning the 29-year-old will be suspended for the second leg of the Coppa semi-final Italia against Juve on April 26.

Henry and Richards, who have both played in Italy during their careers, launched an emotional defense of Lukaku, condemning the decision to suspend him.

Speaking on CBS, Henry, who has been the face of several global campaigns against racism in football, said: It (racism) is everywhere. It always has been and it looks like it always will be.

I come back to common sense. With what the guy (Lukaku) heard. He silences the crowd and gets a yellow? Really? Have some empathy.

If you see a guy being abused and just standing there in a stoic way. Yes, he was cocky and arrogant, but he did it tonight (against Benfica) and did he get a yellow card? It’s the same party. I would have done worse than him if I had been mistreated on the pitch. The Italian federation keeps the yellow and we are talking about common sense?

It’s not just Italy. I suffered from it everywhere and each time it was always the reaction that was punished.

I’m tired of looking at the No To Racism logos on our shirts. I’ve had enough of bad photos before the game. Can we please do something about this?

This incident was not the first time Lukaku had been the victim of racial slurs in Italy.

The striker, who is on loan for the season from Chelsea, responded to the incident on Instagram saying: History repeats itself. I lived it in 2019 and 2023 again. I hope the league will act for real this time because this beautiful game should appeal to everyone.

Richards says he’s tired of always having to talk about racism in football and called the Italian Football Association’s decision demeaning.

The 34-year-old said: He celebrates a goal like he does every week. The referee (Massa) could have handled this situation better. He heard what was being said in the crowd and he decided to expel him anyway. I don’t understand and then for the Italian FA to maintain the yellow card, it’s almost as if they tolerate the situation.

I’m sick of always having to talk about it, but until real change is implemented, we’re going to talk about it again and again and it’s tiring.

We come to play football and have fun, but we constantly have to deal with this.

Lukaku scored in Inters’ 2-0 win over Benfica in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final and repeated the same celebration. He did not receive a yellow card.

GO FURTHER

Lukaku reps want action after ‘disgusting racist abuse’

(Photo: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

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