Italy | Italian Cup
Danilo, Juventus’ right back, insisted that Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan’s top scorer, was entitled to a red card in the Italian Cup semi-final first leg.
Lukaku had celebrated his goal against Juventus by signaling silence towards the Juventus stands, as some fans were directing racist expressions against him, including describing him as a monkey, according to the British Daily Mail.
The Belgian international, David Massa, was surprised by the match referee, showing the second yellow card in his face because of his celebration, to leave the stadium and be expelled.
Many fans and critics sympathized with Lukaku’s controversial celebration in light of the racist abuse he suffered from the hosts’ fans at Allianz Stadium.
As for Michael Juermark, president of the “Rock Nation Sports” company that manages Lukaku’s business, he defended the striker’s position, noting that he “celebrated the goal in the same way he had previously celebrated goals through it.”
Danilo refused to be lenient with his opponent, stressing, “It’s very simple. Lukaku scored, he made a gesture to silence our fans, and it became easy for the referee to book him.”
And he continued, speaking to the sports channel, “Sport Media Set”, “He was already warned, and I think that the decision (to expel him) was correct.”
And Danilo went on, “Guys, it’s Juventus against Inter Milan in the Italian Cup semi-finals, and it’s not an ordinary match. The nerves will be more tense than usual, as there is a strong club. I think such events are normal.”
It is worth noting that Massa also expelled Samir Handanovic, the star goalkeeper of Inter Milan, and Juan Cuadrado, the star of Juventus, because of their hand-to-hand fight.