Lazio player Senad Lulic has sparked a racism row by making derogatory comments against Roma defender Antonio Rudiger after the conclusion of the fiercely contested Roma derby between the two teams.
The derby ended in favour of the Giallorossi with second-half goals from Kevin Strootman and Radja Nainggolan. The feisty encounter saw six yellow cards and a sending off for unused Lazio substitute Danilo Cataldi during the melee that broke in the dugout following Strootman’s goal.
However, Lulic’s post-match comments on Rudiger stole the spotlight with allegations of racism flaring up. The Lazio star spoke to Mediaset Premium saying, “Rudiger was provoking us even before the game. Two years ago, he was selling socks and belts in Stuttgart. Now he acts like he's some phenomenon”, referring to Rudiger’s colour and his time with VfB Stuttgart in Germany prior to joining Roma.
These comments concur with a racist stereotype common in Europe regarding coloured immigrants’ livelihood to make ends meet. However, Lulic’s comments appear baseless for Rudiger has never been a street-seller and has come through the ranks of Germany from the under-18 level to the senior team. Lulic further added, “It‘s not his fault, really, but the fault of those who are around him. They haven't taught him good manners.”
When asked further to consider his remarks, he responded, “I said what I think. Apologise to Rudiger? It doesn't matter, even white people sell socks.” However, Lazio were quick to release an apology condemning Lulic’s remarks.
Arturo Diaconale, Lazio’s director of communications said, “The club is pained by these comments and the way they were interpreted. I apologise on behalf of the club, these are statements made in the heat of the moment by a player who just lost the derby. It went over the line.
"The controversy started with previous comments from the Roma player, but we all need common sense and to not blow this up. The important thing is to recognise the error. We want competition to be in an atmosphere of fair play, which is Lazio’s style.”
Roma manager Luciano Spalletti felt the remarks reflected the Bosnian international’s personality when he said, “Let him speak. Let him say whatever he wants, because his words show the person he is”, on being asked to comment.
Further Rudiger’s team-mate Nainggolan expressed support by posting on Instagram with the caption, “Someone has to learn these 3 words.” The post depicts an image from UEFA’s say “no to racism” campaign and with rules tightening to tackle the problem, Lulic found himself in a tight spot.
However, he took a dramatic U-turn when Lazio released a statement on their Facebook page from Lulic saying, “I’ve responded to a provocation with another provocation. I come from a place that is well aware of tragedies caused by racial prejudices and I’m sorry to have been dragged by the post-derby tension which led me to pronounce that wrong statement.”
The statement is not bound to help the Bosnian get out of hot water with the Federal Prosecutor opening investigation on his comments and the player now faces the possibility of a ten-match ban.
