Italian team escapes punishment for racial abuse of Lukaku

Posted September 17, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, left, challenges Slavia's David Hovorka during the Champions League group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Slavia Prague at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

ROME (AP) - Italian team Cagliari avoided punishment from Serie A after supporters aimed racist abuse at Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku.

The monkey chants were audible on a video from the stands that was shared on social media. The abuse came after Lukaku, who is black, scored a penalty in an Inter win early this month.

But video from social media was not admissible in the case and the Italian league judge decided Tuesday that evidence from police was not deemed sufficient to punish Cagliari.

The Italian league also didn't punish Cagliari for racist abuse aimed at Moise Kean, Blaise Matuidi and Sulley Muntari in recent seasons.

Also Tuesday, there was no mention by the league judge of reported racist abuse aimed at AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie by Hellas Verona supporters over the weekend.

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Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, right, heads the ball flanked by Udinese's Mato Jajalo, Rodrigo Becao, center, and Udinese's Sebastien De Maio, left, during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Udinese, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) The Associated Press

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, center, controls the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Udinese, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) The Associated Press

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