Belgian international footballer Romelu Lukaku has accused unnamed individuals in Kinshasa of “extortion” in connection with his father’s burial, forcing a change of funeral plans from Europe to Congo.
Lukaku, who plays for Napoli, announced on social media that he and his brother were unable to bring their father, Roger Lukaku, back to Belgium for a planned funeral there this Friday. Instead, the service will now be held in Kinshasa, where Roger Lukaku died on September 28 at 58 years old.
“We felt we were being extorted by some people,” Lukaku wrote in a post signed by both brothers. He did not provide further details about the alleged extortion or the individuals involved.
The footballer expressed profound heartbreak over the situation. “If our father were here today, he would not accept it. It breaks our heart not to be able to bury our father. But some people didn’t want it.”
Lukaku added, “We understand why he used to keep us away from some people. God bless his soul.”
Roger Lukaku was also a former professional footballer. Romelu Lukaku is currently recovering from an injury, which has kept him off the pitch.