The Italian Football Federation announced penalties for Swedish player Zlatan Ibrahimović and Belgian player Romelu Lukaku, strikers for AC Milan and Inter respectively, following their altercation in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. According to "Football Italia," both Ibrahimović and Lukaku were found guilty of exhibiting unsporting behavior that did not align with sportsmanship standards.
Ibrahimović was fined €4,000, while Lukaku received a €3,000 fine. Additionally, AC Milan was fined €2,000, and Inter Milan received a €1,250 fine for failing to control their players.
The "Derby della Madonnina" between Inter and their city rival Milan, held at the "San Siro" on January 26, witnessed a strong confrontation between former Manchester United teammates Ibrahimović and Lukaku. While players from both teams quickly intervened to end the dispute, Ibrahimović decided to escalate the situation, engaging in a verbal exchange with Lukaku and attempting to headbutt him, which led to a yellow card. He received another yellow card in the second half, resulting in his expulsion from the match after scoring the opening goal for Milan. This allowed Inter to equalize with a penalty scored by Lukaku, before snatching victory in injury time from a free kick taken by Danish substitute Christian Eriksen.
