Sulley Muntari
Sulley Muntari: Racism happens every game
03:31 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku was the subject of monkey chants from Cagliari fans Sunday, the latest in a string of racist incidents that have marred the Italian club in recent years.

Lukaku, who was playing his second game for Inter having signed from Manchester United last month, received the abuse before and after scoring a second-half penalty to give his team a 2-1 win over the Sardinian side.

He refused to celebrate, instead staring into the stands in the direction of the chants.

“Many players in the last month have suffered from racial abuse … I did yesterday to [sic],” Lukaku wrote on Instagram.

“Football is a game to be enjoyed by everyone and we shouldn’t accept any form of discrimination that will put our game in shame. I hope the football federations all over [the] world react strongly on all cases of discrimination.”

He also argued that social media platforms should take a stronger stance against racial abuse and added that “instead of going forward we’re going backwards … as players we need [to] unify and make a statement on this matter to keep this game clean and enjoyable for everyone.”

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Lukaku scored his second goal in as many games for Inter.

‘Identify, isolate and ban’

Inter boss Antonio Conte insists he did not hear the noises from his touchline position, but said in a news conference after the game that “in Italy we must improve a lot and be more educated and respectful towards those doing their job.”

“In other countries you support the team; you don’t insult the opposition like this,” Conte added. “There must be the maximum respect. Today I was treated well and wasn’t insulted, other times it hasn’t happened like that and it’s not nice.”

In a statement, Cagliari called Sunday’s incident “absolutely unacceptable” and affirmed the club’s intention “to identify, isolate and ban those ignorant individuals whose shameful actions and behaviors are completely against those values that Cagliari Calcio strongly promotes in all their initiatives.

It continued: “Full solidarity to Romelu Lukaku and even stronger commitment toward[s] annihilating one of the worst plagues that affects football and our world in general.

“However, as we are aware that technology is not enough, we believe our commitment needs real support by the rest of the football stakeholders: starting from all the true supporters, to all the stewards in the stands, from police and security agents, passing to media and as well through Lega Serie A and FIGC [the Italian FA].”

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CNN has reached out to Serie A and the Italian FA for comment, with Serie A confirming that a statement will be issued later on Monday.

Earlier this year, Everton forward Moise Kean was racially abused by Cagliari fans while playing for Juventus.

At the time, teammate Leonardo Bonucci said Kean had to take “50-50 of the blame” for the abuse he was subjected to after lifting his arms aloft and looking to the stands. His remarks were later criticized by Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling, among others.

Lukaku celebrates after scoring against US Lecce.

‘Education is key’

France international Blaise Matuidi spoke out last year after being racially abused during Juventus’ match against Cagliari, and then in 2017, midfielder Sulley Muntari was racially abused while playing for Pescara at Cagliari.

Muntari was booked after remonstrated with fans, after which he walked from the pitch and was booked again. He initially received a one-match ban that was later rescinded.

“It’s a club that has a history of repeat offenses in similar incidents,” Italian football journalist Adam Digby told CNN Sport.

“If you look at the way that these things are handled in England or in Germany, it just wouldn’t stand. It just carries on and on and on with Cagliari.

“The Italian FA’s refusal to condemn them for it – it remains to be seen if it will actually be given the official status that it has been a racist incident from a disciplinary point of view.”

In a broadcast of the game that was aired on ESPN, the commentator remarks on the abuse from fans after Lukaku scores the penalty. However, in the official highlights posted by Serie A, these remarks are edited out of the commentary.

In a post-game interview, Lukaku wasn’t asked about the incident.

Paul Pogba, a former teammate of the Belgian at Manchester United, tweeted about combating racial abuse through education on Monday.

“Education is key,” said Pogba. “Whether you like school or not, nothing changes. Go to class and learn as much as you can. It’s the path to follow in your life … #NoToRacism”