Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport in race storm after shocking ‘Black Friday’ headline

‘Black Friday’: Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport in race storm after printing shocking headline to preview reunion of former Manchester United team-mates Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling

  • Fans fumed at the headline on Thursday’s Corriere dello Sport front page
  • ‘Black Friday’ was used for Romelu Lukaku facing old team-mate Chris Smalling 
  • The headline was a serious blunder and was described as ’embarrassing’ by fans 

Corriere dello Sport have been caught up in a race storm after their choice of headline for Thursday’s front cover. 

The Italian daily newspaper ran the headline ‘Black Friday‘ with photos of Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku and Roma defender Chris Smalling, ahead of Friday night’s match between the two sides at the San Siro.   

Lukaku and Smalling are former team-mates at Manchester United and while the newspaper appears to have been using the duo as figureheads to preview the match, fans were quick to condemn their headline choice when the page emerged on social media late on Wednesday night.  

Thursday’s ‘Black Friday’ front page of Corriere dello Sport was called out as a racial slur

One fan wrote: ‘Just when you thought Italian football can’t reach a new low Corriere dello Sport is going with this front page.’

Another added: ‘Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport’s headline is ‘Black Friday’, as Romelu Lukaku will play against Chris Smalling this Friday in Serie A. This is not normal.’ 

Italian journalist Matteo Bonetti was appalled by the decision-making that went into the cover.

He tweeted: Tone deaf, ignorant & with the usual racial undertones. Saying I’m shocked would be a lie at this point.

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku was used as one player to tee up Friday's game vs Roma

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku was used as one player to tee up Friday’s game vs Roma

Italian journalist Matteo Bonetti was left 'shocked' at the decision-making of Thursday's cover

Italian journalist Matteo Bonetti was left ‘shocked’ at the decision-making of Thursday’s cover

‘Absolute embarrassment from @CorSport to come up with this title for Friday’s clash between Inter and Roma.’

Italian football has been battling against a number of racist incidents aimed at players this season with Lukaku met with monkey noises as he went to take a penalty in a win away at Cagliari earlier this season.  

Mario Balotelli has also been targeted and he reacted furiously away at Hellas Verona when he heard abuse aimed at him, almost threatening to walk off the pitch. 

In punishment, Cagliari escaped serious action from Serie A while Verona received a partial stadium closure. The country’s treatment towards instances of racism towards players, which may not have been pre-meditated in this instance, has been heavily criticised by other European leagues. 

The error in judgement over the headline was quickly called out and the newspaper are yet to address critics of their editorial judgement in this instance. 

Lukaku and Smalling are the stand-out players heading into Friday’s match having both impressed for their respective clubs since swapping Old Trafford for Italy this summer. 

Chris Smalling, Lukaku's former team-mate at Manchester United, was the other player used

Chris Smalling, Lukaku’s former team-mate at Manchester United, was the other player used

Smalling is at AS Roma on a season-long loan – with the Italian club keen to extend – and Lukaku is at Inter on a permanent at the San Siro, where he has already netted 10 league goals.   

Inter will look to bolster their lead over title rivals Juventus in the early game by winning to set up a four-point gap as the Old Lady take on Roma’s city rivals, Lazio on Saturday. 

For Roma, a win would be against expectation but would prove vitally important in Paulo Fonseca’s side’s bid to secure Champions League football next season, as they head to Milan sat fifth, out of the top four spots on goal difference.