Romelu Lukaku did not receive a racial slur from Zlatan Ibrahimovic during their bust-up in the Milan derby, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has reportedly concluded.
Gazzetta dello Sport’s print edition said Ibrahimovic could breathe a sigh of relief after the FIGC’s investigation into January’s feisty Coppa Italia quarter-final found the allegations to be unfounded.
Both players were said to be guilty of unsportsmanlike behaviour, having squared up to one another and exchanged bitter insults before half-time San Siro, with Inter and AC Milan also carrying partial responsibility.
Lukaku and Ibrahimovic are likely to enter a plea bargain which will lead to both players – and both clubs – escaping with a fine, as per article 126 of the FIGC’s sports justice code.
Ibrahimovic’s testament was reportedly decisive in clearing the Swedish forward of all racism charges.
The 39-year-old told Lukaku to ‘go and do your voodoo s***’ during Inter’s 2-1 win in the Derby della Madonnina, referring to an incident from the Belgian’s time at Everton.
