Turin prosecutors have opened an investigation into 171 Juventus fans who racially abused Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that special investigators are looking into the scandalous incident which saw racist chants hurled at the Belgian international during a Coppa Italia clash.

The Coppa Italia semifinal first leg between Inter and Juventus at the Allianz Stadium last month ended in chaos. Racist abuse of Inter striker Lukaku was at the heart of it.

The Belgian had started to receive boos from some Juventus supporters in the stands. This followed a late challenge on Bianconeri defender Federico Gatti.

Mixed in with these whistles and jeers were racist “monkey” chants as well as “racially derogatory” language.

A report from three investigators for the FIGC (Italian FA) who were present at the match describes racial abuse and chants that were audible from a “majority” of the 5034 Bianconeri supporters who had been present in the first tier of the Tribuna Sud stand.

After scoring a late equalizer from the penalty spot, Lukaku celebrated by “silencing” the Tribuna Sud stand. He did so both with a gesture and by shouting “Silence! Silence!”

Referee Davide Massa deemed this to be inciting the crowd with his celebration, and so the Belgian received a second yellow card. However, the player’s suspension for the second leg on Wednesday has been overturned by an executive pardon by FIGC Preisdent Gabriele Gravina due to the mitigating circumstances.

Following the incident, Juventus quickly identified two fans who had been responsible for aiming racist chants at the Inter striker. The Bianconeri handed out stadium bans of their own.

171 Juventus Fans Being Investigated For Racially Abusing Romelu Lukaku

171 Bianconeri fans in total have been identified by prosecutors. Investigators with “DIGOS” (a special investigations unit) are looking into the matter.

Stadium bans have been handed out, but further punishment could also follow.