Zlatan Ibrahmovic clears the air after racist posts emanated online following clash with Lukaku

Zlatan Ibrahimovic put out a statement and said “there is no place for racism” after being scrutinized for the language he used in a fiery exchange with Romelu Lukaku during Tuesday’s Milan derby.

The former team-mates were both shown a yellow card apiece after clashing heads and trading insults in a spat at the end of the first half of the Coppa Italia quarter-final tie.

As no fans were present at the match, the pair’s heated conversation was picked up by the television cameras and Ibrahimovic has subsequently faced criticism on social media for his choice of words.

However, Ibrahimovic has responded on social media saying: “In Zlatan’s world there is no place for racism. We are all the same race – we are all equal.”

But the former Sweden international still managed one more swipe at Lukaku, adding: “We are all players some better than others.”

Report in Italy also suggests that the Italian FA will not make a decision on how to proceed until at least Friday.

Ibrahimovic was sent off during the match despite giving his side, AC Milan the lead, while Lukaku leveled with a penalty before Christian Eriksen’s stoppage-time winner sent Inter through with a 2-1 win.