Romelu Lukaku, the talented Belgian striker for Inter Milan, has expressed his belief that top football stars have the power to take matters into their own hands and combat racism within the sport.
According to The Mirror, Lukaku emphasized that many players are still left unprotected by the authorities, and it is time for the athletes themselves to unite and address this pressing issue.
Lukaku’s comments come in the wake of his own experiences with racism on the field. In April, he was sent off during a Cup game against Juventus after responding to racists. The incident drew attention to the ongoing problem of racial abuse in football. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jnr, who publicly supported Lukaku at the time, recently suffered racial abuse for the tenth time in the span of two seasons.
When asked about which older player could lead the way in fighting against racism, Lukaku pointed to Holland superstar Clarence Seedorf. Seedorf, a former professional footballer himself, has been an outspoken advocate for change within the sport. Last month, he called for points deductions as a deterrent and criticized FIFA and UEFA for their lackluster response to the issue.
Lukaku stated, “I would say Clarence Seedorf is the perfect example. I think he wants to start something like that. So I think it really takes effort from the players of our generation to come together and speak with UEFA, FIFA, and all the other federations of every league to discuss how we can protect against these types of problems.”
The Inter Milan striker highlighted the increasing visibility of racist incidents due to cameras in stadiums and the prevalence of social media. He emphasized that players now see and hear everything, and it is essential to address these issues that have plagued the sport for far too long.
Racism in football has gained significant attention in recent years, with several high-profile incidents exposing the deep-rooted problem. The call for action from players like Lukaku and Seedorf underscores the need for a united front to combat racism and ensure the protection of all athletes on the field.
It remains to be seen how Lukaku’s rallying cry will be received by football’s governing bodies and whether a collective effort can be made to address this issue comprehensively. However, the growing awareness and determination among players to tackle racism head-on provide hope for a brighter future, where all athletes can compete in a safe and inclusive environment.
