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Luciano Passirani Banned by TV Show for Racist Comment on Romelu Lukaku

Sep 16, 2019
MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 14: Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 14, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 14: Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 14, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Italian football pundit Luciano Passirani has been banned from appearing on television show Qui Studio a Voi Stadio after he aimed racist comments at Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku on air.

Passirani said Lukaku—who joined Inter from Manchester United this summer—will "[kill] you" if you go one-on-one against him. He then added that the only way you can stop Lukaku is if you give the player "10 bananas to eat," per Marcus Christenson of the Irish Times:

"Lukaku is one of the best signings that Inter could have made. I don't see another player like him on any other team in Italy. He is one of the strongest, I like him a lot because he has that strength: he is the twin of (Duvan) Zapata at Atalanta.

"They have something extra that the rest don't have, and then they score the goals and drag your team forward. This guy kills you in the one-on-ones, if you try to challenge him you wind up on the floor. Either you have 10 bananas to eat, that you give to him, or..."

Fabio Ravezzani, programme director for the Telelombardia show, turned down Passirani's apology and said the pundit wouldn't participate in future broadcasts, per BBC Sport.

"Mr. Passirani is 80 years old and to compliment Lukaku he used a metaphor that turned out to be racist. I think it was a terrible lack of momentary lucidity. I cannot tolerate any kind of errors, even if momentary," he said.

Lukaku was the target of monkey chants from Cagliari fans when he scored a 2-1 penalty winner on September 1, and Passirani's comment was a reminder of the abuse Lukaku suffered.

The remark appears to be an attempted compliment regarding the strong form of Lukaku—who scored twice in his first two games for Inter—but has instead strengthened concerns with racism in Italian football.

Journalist Chris Lepkowski touched on the warped culture among some fans and pundits:

Sportswriter Siavous Fallahi posted a screenshot of Lukaku's reply to the racist abuse from the Cagliari fans. Lukaku called on social media to make more of an effort tackling the issue:

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly was the target of racist abuse while facing Inter in December 2018, while former Juventus striker Moise Kean—now at Everton—was also targeted at Cagliari in April this year.

Koulibaly recently told Il Corriere dello Sport (h/t ESPN FC) that Serie A should look to copy the Premier League in its more proactive response to racism in the sport.

Journalist Raphael Honigstein recently appeared on BBC 5 Live Sport and said Italian football authorities have turned a blind eye to the problem for too long:

Passirani's ban from Qui Studio a Voi Stadio is an acknowledgment that such remarks don't belong in football—in Italy or elsewhere.

Antonio Conte Will Help Alexis Sanchez 'Recapture' Pre-Manchester United Form

Sep 13, 2019
Inter Milan's Italian head coach Antonio Conte shouts instructions during the Italian Serie A football match Inter Milan vs US Lecce on August 26, 2019 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images)
Inter Milan's Italian head coach Antonio Conte shouts instructions during the Italian Serie A football match Inter Milan vs US Lecce on August 26, 2019 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images)

Alexis Sanchez will have the help and support of Antonio Conte during his bid to get his club career back on track after leaving Manchester United to move to Inter Milan on loan. 

Inter boss Conte discussed Sanchez's potential to make the grade during his second spell in Serie A, per Goal's Jamie Smith: "Sanchez is a strong player, he has shown in the past the quality that he possesses. We need to help him recapture the form that he lost at Manchester United. He has to adapt to our game and that is what he is doing."

Sanchez joined the Nerazzurri for the rest of the season late on during the European summer transfer window earlier this month. It brought to an end, temporarily at least, a miserable spell in the red half of Manchester that began in the winter of 2018.

United acquired Sanchez from Premier League rivals Arsenal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way. The latter also didn't thrive after the switch and took a similar escape route to Italy, joining AS Roma on loan.

Mkhitaryan floundered with the Gunners, but he had also been struggling in a United shirt. By contrast, Sanchez had been one of the best players in England's top flight during his three-and-a-half seasons in north London.

His goals, pace and flair lifted Arsenal to a pair of FA Cup triumphs over Aston Villa and Chelsea in 2015 and 2017. Sanchez scored in both finals and was the undisputed attacking talisman of a team otherwise undermined by defensive frailties and injuries in midfield.

However, the Chilean rarely came close to recapturing the same magic at Old Trafford:

Numbers like those made it essential for United to offload the club's highest earner and biggest under-performer. Even so, there has to be an element of regret among those connected to the Red Devils they were never able to unlock the match-winning star power Sanchez had consistently shown for the Gunners.

Jose Mourinho, who occupied the United dugout at the time of Sanchez's arrival in Manchester, has suggested he was perhaps "not capable to get into him and to get the best out of him," per Sam Wallace of The Daily Telegraph.

Mourinho noted how Sanchez rarely appeared happy, something making a return to Italy a smart career move for the 30-year-old. The forward built his reputation among Europe's elite as a star for Udinese, eventually earning a move to Barcelona in 2011.

During the same time Sanchez also became the marquee presence for his country. It's a role he still merits, despite his lacklustre displays for United:

Ironically, Sanchez could make his Inter debut against Udinese at the San Siro on Saturday.

Sanchez's ongoing brilliance for Chile, combined with another tour in a division he once bossed as a younger player, should add up to some special performances for Inter. It will help to play alongside Romelu Lukaku, who also left United for Inter, albeit on a permanent deal, this summer.

Conte has saluted Lukaku as a "true team player," per Smith, and Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has noticed the positive difference in the centre-forward since he became a member of the Nerazzurri:

Sanchez routinely tormented Conte's Chelsea teams, but if the Italian can foster a prolific partnership between his two United imports Inter will have the ammunition needed to unseat division kingpin Juventus.

Alexis Sanchez on Romelu Lukaku: 'You Won't Find Anyone Else Like Him'

Sep 12, 2019
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United talks with Romelu Lukaku prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on April 24, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images )
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United talks with Romelu Lukaku prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on April 24, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images )

Inter Milan forward Alexis Sanchez has talked up his team-mate Romelu Lukaku, suggesting the striker is a unique player in world football.

Lukaku was transferred by Manchester United to Inter in the summer, bringing an end to a two-year stint at Old Trafford. Later in the window, Sanchez followed the same path, albeit leaving the Red Devils to join the Milan giants on loan for the campaign.

Both players will be seeking to reinvigorate careers that had temporarily stalled in England, and Sanchez said he thinks Lukaku will be a big success, per ESPN (h/t Football Italia).

"You won't find anyone else like him, anywhere in the world," said the Chile international about the forward.

Sanchez also spoke about the duo's time at United and why he thought it was important for them to move on:

"Lukaku and I trained very well. But we needed to play more in games to get to our best. It wasn't the right time for us to be at Manchester. Too many changes. When you change that much, it's tough.

"I can feel the will here to achieve. This is why I'm here. That's why Romelu is here. Will it work? We will have a lot more to say about that at the end of the season."

Lukaku has managed to get off to a strong start at Inter, netting in the team's first two games of the Serie A season.

The former United and Everton star carried his strong club form into the international break, as he opened the scoring in the UEFA 2020 European Championship qualifying win for Belgium over Scotland with an excellent goal:

https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1171136483861942273

The new Inter man has been prolific whenever he's donned his country's Red Devils jersey as of late:

The same could not have been said about him in United's Red Devils colours, as he failed to cement a place in the XI of Jose Mourinho and his replacement Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last term:

The early signs are that Lukaku will rediscover his form at Inter. For Sanchez, getting back to his best may be much more of a challenge.

Before he transferred to Old Trafford in January 2018, the then-Arsenal man was regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League. It makes the manner in which he's slumped since that move all the more shocking.

Under Antonio Conte, you suspect Sanchez will get more chances than what he was given at United. If he does improve at the San Siro, Inter will be getting a terrific attacking addition:

For both Sanchez and Lukaku, Conte feels like an ideal manager. Not only does the Italian possess tactical acumen and flexibility, he's renowned as a fantastic motivator. That energy should light a fire under the two new additions.

As of yet, Sanchez hasn't made a competitive appearance for his new club. In a fresh environment and renewed focus, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the 30-year-old be a hit in Italy when he does eventually get on the field.

Romelu Lukaku Says He Is a 'Killer on the Field,' Eyes 50th Belgium Goal

Sep 10, 2019
Belgium's striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring the opening goal during the the Euro 2020 football qualification match between Scotland and Belgium at Hampden Park, Glasgow on September 9, 2019. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Belgium's striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring the opening goal during the the Euro 2020 football qualification match between Scotland and Belgium at Hampden Park, Glasgow on September 9, 2019. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Romelu Lukaku has described himself as a "killer on the field" following his goal for Belgium in their 4-0 win over Scotland on Monday.

The Inter Milan striker opened the scoring in a routine UEFA 2020 European Championship qualifying win for his side. The result sees Roberto Martinez's team extend their record to six wins from six games in Group I.

The finish took Lukaku's haul for the Red Devils to 49, and he said he's in no doubt he will eventually reach a half-century for his country, per Josh Thomas of Goal:

"I'll get to that 50th goal. I have to say that I was more concerned with the 30th, when I was able to break the record.

"I don't dream about the 50. I really don't. I'm relaxed. I am a killer on the field, but not next to it. I was happy with that goal. It was a long time ago that we had scored another goal on the counter. If we can play like this, we are deadly. The best counter-attacking team in the world."

Lukaku, Belgium's all-time record goalscorer, was on hand in the first period to cap off a sweeping counter-attack involving Dries Mertens and Kevin De Bruyne:

https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1171136483861942273

The former Manchester United and Everton forward also praised the influence of De Bruyne—who grabbed three assists and a goal on the night—and the manner in which he took his goal at Hampden Park: "I am happy that I could give an assist to De Bruyne. He finished it nicely. The finish was more beautiful than the pass itself."

Lukaku is enjoying a fantastic run for the national team:

He has been in brilliant form at the start of the 2019-20 season, netting in both of his Serie A games for Inter Milan so far.

Following two years at Old Trafford, Lukaku moved on to the San Siro in the previous transfer window, with the Nerazzurri paying a reported £74 million for him.

Working under Antonio Conte at Inter, Lukaku appears to have renewed motivation and focus. Italian football journalist David Amoyal noted the 26-year-old's acquisition was part of some smart summer recruitment from the Milan giants:

Lukaku's time in Italy hasn't been entirely positive, as he was subject to racist abuse in the team's 2-1 win over Cagliari before the international break. He said "we are going backwards" when it comes to dealing with racism in football following the incident.

On the pitch, Lukaku is primed for a strong season. In Conte, he will have a manager who will inspire and improve him, while the early signs are that Serie A defences will struggle to contain him.

Lautaro Martinez Says Mauro Icardi Wanted Inter Milan Stay, Backs Romelu Lukaku

Sep 10, 2019
MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 19: Mauro Emanuel Icardi and Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale look on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 19, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 19: Mauro Emanuel Icardi and Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale look on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 19, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has said Mauro Icardi didn't want to leave the San Siro before he departed for Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but he has backed Romelu Lukaku as his replacement.

Icardi, 26, joined the Ligue 1 champions on a season-long loan at the end of a tumultuous summer transfer window. He was stripped of the Inter captaincy earlier in 2019 and entered a stand-off with the club before leaving for France:

Martinez—who joined the Nerazzurri from Racing Club in July 2018—spoke to TyC Sports (h/t Goal's Chris Burton) and said his Argentina team-mate wished to remain in Milan despite the soured relationship:

"I have a good relationship with him, and we talk a lot.

"He wanted to stay, and in the talks with the club he always said he wanted to play. But now he is in another team, and I wish him the best because since I arrived in Italy, he has been a key person that has helped me integrate better."

Icardi was linked with a long list of suitors before he and wife/agent Wanda Nara settled on a loan move to the Parc des Princes. Burton noted PSG have a €70 million option to purchase Icardi.

Inter completed a deal to sign Manchester United striker Lukaku following months of speculation, and the Belgian has looked good after scoring twice in his first two appearances.

Speaking about new team-mate Lukaku, Martinez said: "He immediately adapted to the coach's ideas and the team's style of play. He's a striker with incredible characteristics; he's very powerful. I was surprised by his sheer stature."

Former Napoli striker Antonio Careca—who scored 29 times in 60 appearances for Brazil—recently gave Lukaku his backing to be a greater success at Inter than his predecessor, per Goal:

Icardi has scored 124 goals in 219 appearances for Inter and could return to play for his parent club, who extended his contract until 2022 before he moved to Paris.

Nara recently told Corriere della Sera (h/t AS) her husband's recent transfer was "not a divorce" and said she felt Icardi would return to Italy, while Inter will "always be the priority."

The feeling may not be mutual, however, and manager Antonio Conte will find it much easier to move on if Lukaku keeps up his good form in Milan.

Lukaku also scored in Belgium's 4-0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier win over Scotland on Monday, and manager Roberto Martinez spoke of his star as a renewed force, per sportswriter Sacha Pisani:

Icardi and Nara may yet open up to the idea of remaining in France beyond this season's loan, but there may be no place left for him at Inter, regardless of how much he'd like to return.

Inter Milan's Antonio Conte 'Is the Messi of Coaches,' Says Alessandro Bastoni

Sep 9, 2019
CAGLIARI, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 01: Antonio Conte coach of Cagliari looks on during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and FC Internazionale at Sardegna Arena on September 1, 2019 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
CAGLIARI, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 01: Antonio Conte coach of Cagliari looks on during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and FC Internazionale at Sardegna Arena on September 1, 2019 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

New Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte is the "[Lionel] Messi of coaches," according to Nerazzurri defender Alessandro Bastoni.

The 50-year-old took over at the San Siro in May and has overseen two wins from two at the start of his first Serie A season in charge at the club.

A three-time Scudetto winner as Juventus manager, Conte also led Chelsea to a record-breaking Premier League title in 2016-17:

Inter will be hoping the former Italy boss can help them challenge again for the Serie A title, and Bastoni has clearly been impressed with him, comparing him to Barcelona superstar Messi, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sam France of Goal):

"Everyone had spoken highly of Conte and I’ve only received confirmation of how great he is. As far as I am concerned, Conte is the Messi of coaches. He is phenomenal, has exceptional footballing ideas and always wants to go on the attack. The training schedule is very tough indeed, but so was Gian Piero Gasperini when I played for Atalanta.

"The difference was that we were training in China over the summer and the humidity was incredible, so I admit that did make me suffer a lot. But when the quality level goes up, you must raise your game to meet it. There’s no point denying it, we want to change the way the Serie A seasons have been going recently. We have the coach and the squad to do that, but must prove it one game at a time."

Bastoni, 20, signed for Inter in 2017 but was immediately loaned back to Atalanta.

He was then loaned to Parma for last season and has yet to make his senior debut for Inter. That could well come this season under Conte, though.

Inter last won Serie A in 2009-10 and last competed for the title in the following season, when they finished second.

They then spent the next four seasons outside of Italy's top four, but they have slowly been making their way back to the upper echelons of the top flight.

After back-to-back fourth-placed finishes, they now have Conte at the helm, and he has a superb record in Serie A:

He has brought in Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to strengthen Inter's attack, and Diego Godin should add some valuable experience to the defence.

Juventus have won the last eight titles in a row, but Conte's arrival at Inter has increased their chances of finally challenging the Old Lady again this term. 

Wanda Nara Says Mauro Icardi's PSG Loan Is 'Not a Divorce' from Inter Milan

Sep 6, 2019
MILAN, ITALY - MAY 26: Mauro Emanuel Icardi of FC Internazionale speaks with his wife Wanda Nara at the end of the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Empoli FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 26, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - MAY 26: Mauro Emanuel Icardi of FC Internazionale speaks with his wife Wanda Nara at the end of the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Empoli FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 26, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Wanda Nara, the wife and agent of Mauro Icardi, has said the striker wants to play for Inter Milan again despite leaving the club for Paris Saint-Germain on loan for the season.

With Icardi out of favour under Inter boss Antonio Conte, he made a temporary switch to the French champions, for whom he is set to link up with the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.

While it's been reported PSG have an option to make the move permanent, Nara said she expects the Argentina international to don the iconic black-and-blue jersey again, per Corriere della Sera (h/t Football Italia):

"It's not a divorce, Mauro and Inter are like lovers who are taking time to reflect. Relationships have deteriorated due to many misunderstandings, but his desire to play for Inter and love of the fans remain.

"In a long relationship there are crises. Ultimately we leave each other with a relationship that's been patched up and without any betrayal.

"Inter needed to sell Icardi. Mauro would never have left the club as captain. It was a strategy to sell him. They took his armband away to sell him, so he was told. Last year he refused to move to another team."

Nara was also asked about speculation that Juventus offered €50 million (£45 million) as well as Gonzalo Higuain to sign Icardi in the January transfer window. "I won't mention the name of the team, but the other player came to Milan, just not to Inter," she replied. Higuain spent the first part of the previous season at AC Milan.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport Italia (h/t Get French Football News), PSG can sign Icardi permanently for a fee of €65 million (£58 million):

Although Icardi's situation at Inter turned sour towards the end of the previous season, he leaves as one of the club's all-time leading goalscorers:

While Nara appears to be hopeful of Icardi representing the San Siro side again, with Conte in charge, it looks like an unlikely prospect for the time being.

Inter spent big to sign Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United, while they also moved to bring in Alexis Sanchez on loan to further strengthen their attacking options. Even though there appears to have been issues off the field at Inter, Icardi—an instinctive penalty-box striker—doesn't seem the right fit for Conte's football.

Per the Italian Football TV account, the new manager has had no problem moving on some big names:

https://twitter.com/IFTVofficial/status/1168635125023879173

It will be fascinating to see how Icardi fares in Paris. In Ligue 1, he will surely find the net frequently, although PSG will be hoping the 26-year-old's goalscoring prowess can help to give the team an edge in the UEFA Champions League.

If he can do that, PSG will no doubt be open to signing the striker on a permanent basis. As things stand, Conte surely wouldn't be against his departure.

Alexis Sanchez Expresses Desire to Make MLS Transfer in the Future

Sep 4, 2019
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Swansea City at Old Trafford on March 31, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Swansea City at Old Trafford on March 31, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Alexis Sanchez has said he has "six or five years left" playing in Europe, but he would "like it a lot" to play in MLS in the future.

The Chilean forward joined Inter Milan on a season-long loan from Manchester United at the end of last month, bringing to an end a hugely disappointing one-and-a-half-year spell at Old Trafford.

Under managers Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Sanchez made 32 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils and scored just three goals:

The 30-year-old will hope to revitalise his career under Antonio Conte at Inter, and he is clearly confident he still has plenty to offer at the highest level in Europe before he potentially moves to the United States, per ESPN FC:

"I always have offers. They had told me about Miami, but I have got six or five years left at a good level in Europe. Although one day I could play in the United States. I'd like it a lot to play in [MLS], it is a league that is growing and is very good."

Before moving to United, Sanchez had a deserved reputation as one of the Premier League's top creative marksmen.

In three and a half seasons at Arsenal, he netted 60 league goals in 122 appearances and also provided 25 assists. If Conte can get that kind of form out of the former Barcelona man, Sanchez will have a key role to play in Inter's Serie A title bid.

The Nerazzurri have not made a genuine tilt at the Scudetto since coming second in 2010-11.

But they have finished fourth in the last two campaigns and now have Conte at the helm, who won three titles in a row when in charge at Juventus between 2011 and 2014 and has made a fine start to his career at the San Siro:

Sanchez is not the only new forward Inter have in their ranks as they also paid £74 million to sign Romelu Lukaku from United.

From their brief time playing together at Old Trafford, Sanchez is confident he and his Belgian team-mate can form a good partnership in Italy, per ESPN FC:

"I would have liked to play more with Lukaku [at United]. I think in the little we played together we did well."

Inter Ultras Defend Cagliari Fans' Racist Abuse of Romelu Lukaku

Sep 3, 2019
MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 26: Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 26, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 26: Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 26, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Inter Milan's ultras have come to the defence of the Cagliari supporters who racially abused new signing Romelu Lukaku during Sunday's 2-1 victory in Sardinia. 

Lukaku scored in his second successive Inter appearance, netting a winner from the penalty spot as Cagliari fans aimed jeers and monkey chants at the player.

However, Inter's ultras—touted as the most dedicated and extreme fans of the club—recently addressed a statement on Facebook to their own player claiming those actions weren't racist, per Football Italia: 

"Hi Romelu. We are writing you on behalf of Curva Nord, yes the guys who welcomed you at your arrival in Milan. We are really sorry you thought that what happened in Cagliari was racist. You have to understand that Italy is not like many other north European countries where racism is a REAL problem.

"We understand that it could have seemed racist to you, but it is not like that. In Italy we use some 'ways' only to 'help our teams' and to try to make our opponents nervous, not for racism but to mess them up.

"We are a multi-ethnic fans organisation and we have always welcomed players from everywhere. However, we have always used that 'way' with other teams' players in the past and we probably will in the future. 

"We are not racist and so are not the Cagliari fans. You have to understand that in all Italian stadiums people cheer for their teams but at the same time they use to cheer against the opponents not for racism but to 'help' their own team. Please consider this attitude of Italian fans as a form of respect for the fact they are afraid of you for the goals you might score against their teams and not because they hate you or they are racist.

"True racism is a completely different story and all Italian football fans know it very well. When you declare that racism is a problem to be fought in Italy you just help the repression against all football fans including us and you contribute to create a problem that is not really there, not in the way that is perceived in other countries.

"We are very sensitive and inclusive with all people. We guarantee you that in our organisation there are many fans of different races or fans coming from other parts of Italy that also use this way to [provoke] their opponents even when the have the same races or are coming from the same areas. Please help us to clarify what racism really is and that Italian fans are not racist.

"The fight to REAL racism has to begin in schools not in the stadiums, fans are just fans and they behave in different ways when inside the stadium as opposed to when they are in real life. I guarantee you that what they do or say to an opponent player of another race is not what they would ever say to someone they would meet in real life. Italian fans may not be perfect and we can understand your frustration with this expressions but they are definitely not meant to be racist.

"Once again... Welcome Romelu."

The Curva Nord—the section of the San Siro in which the ultras are based and another name for the group also known as L'urlo della Nord—often leads opinion among Inter's fans.

Journalist Siavoush Fallahi recently posted a screenshot from Lukaku's Instagram stories, whereby he touched upon his most recent brush with racism and his hopes of combatting the issue:

Fallahi was, therefore, all the more surprised to see Inter's ultras standing up for the actions of rival supporters guilty of racist abuse:

Serie A disciplinary judge Gerardo Mastrandrea reviewed the incident and referred to "chants that were the subject of news articles and TV reports" in his report, per Sky Sports. However, the word "racist" didn't appear in the report.

Fan footage was filmed among the Cagliari supporters on Sunday, which clearly shows fans directing monkey noises at Lukaku before, during and after his winning spot-kick, via Weekend Sport:

https://twitter.com/WeekendSport/status/1168804190883332096

The statement from the Curva Nord attempted to pin blame on Lukaku, who joined Inter for a reported €80 million (£74 million) in August, for speaking out against racism. The statement claimed the player's comments "create a problem that is not really there, not in the way that is perceived in other countries."

CNN's Alex Thomas posted the Serie A response to the incident, with no immediate punishment evident for Cagliari or their fans:

Inter will host Udinese on Saturday, September 14 following the international break.

Romelu Lukaku Says Alexis Sanchez Is a 'Great Addition' to Inter Milan Squad

Sep 2, 2019
MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 26: Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale gestures during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 26, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 26: Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale gestures during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 26, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Romelu Lukaku has backed Alexis Sanchez to succeed at Inter Milan and said his team-mate will be a "great addition" to the squad.

The striker told Sky in Italy (h/t Jonathan Nagioff at Sky Sports News) that he is looking forward to playing alongside his former Manchester United team-mate:

"[Alexis is a] great addition for the squad. You always want to play with the best players, but he's a great man as well. We have a dressing room full of great men and full of players willing to work for the team. So he's a great addition to it and hopefully he can add that little spark to the team that we need."

Lukaku swapped Old Trafford for the San Siro in a permanent deal in August after two seasons with the Premier League side.

Sanchez has since followed the Belgium international to Inter. He sealed a season-long loan from Manchester United before the close of the transfer window:

The Red Devils are reportedly paying three-quarters of his wages while he is at Inter:

Both attackers will be hoping for a change of fortune in Italy. Lukaku began his Manchester career brightly with 27 goals in his debut season, but he managed only 15 in his second and slipped down the pecking order.

He has made a bright start to life with the Nerazzurri. He scored on his Serie A debut against Lecce and was on target in Inter's 2-1 win over Cagliari.

Sanchez will be hoping he can follow Lukaku's example and rediscover his goalscoring touch in Italy. The former Arsenal man had a torrid time at Manchester United, managing just five goals in 45 appearances.

Inter will be keen to get the best out of Sanchez during his loan spell. At his best he is a relentless presence in attack, capable of scoring and creating goals.

Football writer David Amoyal explained why Inter could be a good move for Sanchez:

Sanchez faces a challenge getting his career back on track after a difficult spell at United but will relish the chance of a fresh start and the opportunity to prove his worth at the San Siro.

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