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.
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.
'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.
'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.
dekziza
319
I think the headline is okay.. Nothing bad with it .. Am black and very proud of myself.. Lets not give whites the reason to intimidate us..we should be proud and comfortable with our color..
jackstance
111
Italy, the people of Italy are sick, not everyone but most of them, even media is also bullshit, Racism, letter to Conte, Icardi matter, and now this. Italian football should be punished by major authorities to keep them quiet, and if it is not done then that will be worst in future not only for Italy also for football.