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Cagliari avoid punishment for racist chants aimed at Inter's Lukaku

Enrico Locci / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Serie A opted not to discipline Cagliari after fans directed monkey noises at Inter forward Romelu Lukaku earlier in September.

The racist chants were heard when the Belgian stepped up to take a penalty during Inter's 2-1 victory on Sept. 1.

Serie A's disciplinary panel ruled the nature of the chants were not deemed offensive in terms "size and real perception," as translated by Will Griffee of the Daily Mail.

Enrico Locci / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Instead, Cagliari received a €5,000 fine after supporters threw plastic bottles on the pitch.

It's the third time over the last two years that Cagliari have escaped punishment relating to racist abuse of players. The club's supporters previously aimed similar discriminatory chants at Moise Kean and Blaise Matuidi.

Meanwhile, Hellas Verona also avoided discipline, though it appeared AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie was subjected to racist abuse over the weekend.

Verona rejected claims that their fans were racially abusing Kessie, explaining, according to the Associated Press, that the chants were being misconceived as whistles from the stands were aimed at match officials.

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