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Inter Milan chairman defends fans over Romelu Lukaku racist abuse

Inter chairman defends fans over Lukaku racist abuse
© Reuters
Inter Milan chairman Stevan Zhang defends the club's ultras following a widely criticised response from supporters in reaction to Romelu Lukaku being racially abused.

Inter Milan chairman Steven Zhang has come out in defence of the widely criticised reaction from the club's ultras to Romelu Lukaku being racially abused.

The striker was taunted with monkey chants as he lined up to take a penalty during his debut against Cagliari last month.

Following Lukaku's call for something to be done, Inter's ultras responded by claiming that, in Italy, such chants do not constitute racial discrimination, but rather form part of an attempt to distract the player.

Speaking publicly on the issue, Zhang told the Daily Mail: "A lot of fans, when they did it, the intention was not bad."

Lukaku left Manchester United on deadline day to complete a £72m move to San Siro - a record sum for Inter - after falling out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Belgian, who silenced Cagliari fans by scoring the penalty, also netted during his home debut against Lecce last month.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CInter Milan38297289226794
2AC Milan38229776492775
3Juventus381914554312371
4Atalanta BCAtalanta372161070393169
5Bologna381814654322268
6Roma381891165461963
7Lazio381871349391061
8Fiorentina371691258441457
9Torino381314113636053
10Napoli381314115548753
11Genoa381213134545049
12Monza381112153951-1245
13Hellas VeronaHellas Verona38911183851-1338
14Lecce38814163254-2238
15Udinese38619133753-1637
16CagliariCagliari38812184268-2636
17Empoli3899202954-2536
RFrosinoneFrosinone38811194469-2535
RSassuoloSassuolo3879224375-3230
RSalernitana38211253281-4917


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