Football News Romelu Lukaku: Football superstar calls for social media CEOs and footballers to meet Belgium international makes plea after ugly clashes in Russia Before world champions France’s training session at Maria Lenk stadium on Saturday, fans ran on the pitch and threw fireworks and objects at Lukaku. Photograph: Victor Moriyama/Bongarts/Getty Images
Romelu Lukaku has called on football executives to meet with players in an attempt to prevent more ugly incidents during matches.
Fans and players clashed again in Russia after crowds ran on to the pitch and threw fireworks and objects at Lukaku, with more than 150 people detained and 74 arrests made in St Petersburg as France arrived for their World Cup final defeat by Croatia.
“I urge football clubs and international football associations to join us in promoting a mentality that does not put us on the pitch only as spectators, but as players,” the Belgium international said in a letter to executives of international football bodies.
Lukaku, who plays for Manchester United, added: “I also hope for a change in the behaviour of some supporters. I hope we can create an environment in which we can play football without them becoming a problem.”
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The 22-year-old has been a victim of fans throwing objects in the past, most notably before a match against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in August. Lukaku escaped injury then as he was in the vicinity of a pitch invader and was left in a state of shock.
The situation in Russia was not helped by problems with Croatia fans and some in the BBC documentary looking at the Moscow city centre clash were seen hurling objects at Lukaku.
More than 400 people were arrested for racist and violent offences during the tournament in Russia, which also featured clashes between England and Russian fans in Marseille.