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Romelu Lukaku got himself in a spot of bother earlier in the week when he spoke out in support of WBA striker Nicolas Anelka on Everton's official site. Anelka is facing an FA ban over making the quenelle against West Ham in December; Lukaku decided to speak in support of his friend and as a result he drew some criticism for seeming to endorse a gesture that man consider anti-Semitic.
Fortunately he's now clarified the situation:
I want to make clear that I was supporting a friend and player I have admired since I was a child. I apologise if I caused any offence with my comments as this was never my intention. There has been a misunderstanding and I want to clarify that I was in no way endorsing the gesture made by Nicolas.
-Source: Teamtalk.com.
And Kick It Out, who were said to be reviewing Lukaku's status as an ambassador for the charity, have also commented:
Kick It Out has sought clarity from Romelu Lukaku on comments made to Sky Sports about Nicolas Anelka and the FA investigation into the 'quenelle' gesture. Romelu has clearly stated that he had no intention to support the gesture made by Anelka.
The campaign continues to work with Romelu as a 'Next 20' ambassador and will look to guide him, in partnership with community organisations, on the sensitivity of issues covering all forms of discrimination moving forward.
Sanity, in other words, prevails. And, with any luck, all of this means Lukaku learns to be a little more judicious when he makes public statements.
