The lawyer of Inter striker Romelu Lukaku has argued that a change to the rules around suspensions in Italian football must be changed in consideration of the Belgian’s suspension against Juventus amidst a major racism scandal.

Speaking to Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, the 29-year-old Nerazzurri striker’s Sebastian Ledure argued that the current system is outdated, and must do more to protect players who are victims of racism such as Lukaku.

What is clear is that Lukaku was sent off for receiving two yellow cards in Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semifinal first leg clash with Juventus, and that this will mean a suspension for the second leg of the tie.

The one-match ban has been confirmed, and as Ledure admits, by the letter of the law there is absolutely zero question that it is the right decision.

However, the fact that Lukaku’s second yellow card came amidst scandalous racist chants by some Juventus supporters which clearly had an affect on the Belgian, the suspension has become somewhat controversial.

It has already been reported that Inter will not appeal the suspension, while a successful appeal has been deemed to be “almost impossible.”

Then there’s the fact that Referee-Designator Gianluca Rocchi backs match official Davide Massa’s decision to issue the Belgian a second yellow, which he believes was the right one.

For Ledure, this highlights exactly the problem with the existing system.

From a technical and procedural standpoint, Inter and Lukaku may have little case of having the player’s suspension for the second leg overturned.

However, the lawyer notes, this just shows that the existing rules are not sensitive to the seriousness of racism in football as an issue, and not designed the factor such mitigating concerns into important decisions.

He said that “There are clear rules, which provide for certain measures on specific occasions, such as being suspended if you receive two yellow cards.”

“But then it’s clear that what happened to Lukaku is wrong from a moral point of view,” Ledure went on.

“And then it affects the competition, given that even though Romelu did nothing wrong he’ll still have to miss the next match,” he observed.

“In short, he will be forbidden to do his job, despite the fact that he is the one who received racist chants,” Ledure outlined.

“So there’s two problems that have to be addressed, reacting to what actually happened, and also correcting rules that contain a fallacy,” he argued.

“It is up to the governing bodies to produce an adequate reaction.”

“Lukaku’s suspension clear sends a terrible message in this respect,” the lawyer argued.

“It’s really unfortunate that we’re seeing something that’s already happened in the past, not just to Romelu, but also other players as well, has been repeated,” Ledure said.

“It’s 2023, and it’s crazy that certain points have to be repeated.”

“I love Italy, I know so many of your compatriots who are obviously not racist,” the lawyer said.

“However, it has to be admitted that there’s a problem in stadiums, and it’s obvious that the FIGC [Italian FA] must intervene,” the lawyer argued.