Milan's Ibrahimovic rejects racism charges

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - AC Milan's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said Wednesday he did not use racist language against Inter Milan's Belgian star Romelu Lukaku during a Milan derby match Tuesday.

"In ZLATAN’s world there is no place for RACISM. We are all the same race - we are all equal !! We are all PLAYERS some better then [sic] others," Ibrahimovic, 39, defended himself on Twitter.

Near the end of the first half, Ibrahimovic and Lukaku argued and exchanged insults. Lukaku seemed furious after the trash-talking.

The Swede scored the opener for Milan in minute 31 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.

In minute 58, Milan were down to 10 men when Ibrahimovic was shown a red card for fouling Aleksandar Kolarov.

Inter leveled the match on Lukaku's penalty shot in minute 71.

Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen's free kick goal in stoppage time gave Inter the Milan 2-1 victory and the team qualified for the Italian Cup semifinals.

"Zlatan... racist? He loves me too much so he's the last person I'd think of as racist! Come on, don't joke with that one!," Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba tweeted in support of Ibrahimovic.

Ibrahimovic was a Manchester United forward in 2016-2018 and played with Pogba on the English club.

Inter will face Juventus or Spal in the next round.