The FIGC opened an investigation into Lazio defender Senad Lulic’s alleged racist comments made about Antonio Rudiger.
The Bosnia international made the statements during several post-match interviews on Sunday after a 2-0 defeat to Roma.
He suggested Germany international Rudiger “was selling socks and belts in Stuttgart until two years ago and now acts like he’s a phenomenon.”
The FIGC opened an investigation into Lazio defender Senad Lulic’s alleged racist comments made about Antonio Rudiger.
The Bosnia international made the statements during several post-match interviews on Sunday after a 2-0 defeat to Roma.
He suggested Germany international Rudiger “was selling socks and belts in Stuttgart until two years ago and now acts like he’s a phenomenon.”
Rudiger was born and raised in Germany and has never at any stage been a street seller, so this was read as a racist stereotype.
The FIGC (Italian Football Federation) has officially opened an investigation into the matter and requested recordings of the interview with Mediaset Premium.
It is likely they’ll also view the recordings of Lulic’s other interviews that day, as he was repeatedly urged to take back the comments and consistently refused – even after Lazio sent out an apology on behalf of the club.
It remains to be seen whether the comments will be ruled racist in nature and what punishment Lulic will receive, but the maximum is a 10-game ban.