Romelu Lukaku has astonishingly claimed that he and his brother have been "extorted" by people refusing to hand over their father’s dead body for his funeral in their home country of Belgium.
Roger Lukaku, a former player for Zaire (now DR Congo), who ended his career in Belgium, died last month aged 58.
But now Lukaku and his brother Jordan, who plays for Lazio, have revealed they are being denied the opportunity of laying their father to rest.
The Napoli striker revealed the news in a heartbreaking statement on Instagram, saying: “As you may know, we planned to have the funeral this Friday, but because of certain decisions being made in Kinshasa (capital of DR Congo), the funeral will take place over there.
“Our dad passed away on the 28 of September and we as brothers tried everything to bring his corpse back to Europe but we felt that we were being extorted by some people.
“If our father was here today he wouldn't accept it. It breaks our soul for us to not put our father to rest. But some people didn't want it.
“We understand now why our dad used to keep us away from a lot of people.
“God bless your soul.”
The 32-year-old did not expand on the circumstances of the situation or the individuals involved in holding his father’s body.
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Tributes flooded in after it was revealed the 58-year-old had died last month, with his former club RSC Anderlecht sharing an image of him during a match with Standard de Liege earlier this month.
When the former Manchester United player revealed his father’s passing, he said: “Thank you for teaching me everything I know.
“I'm forever grateful and appreciate you. Life will never be the same, protecting and guiding me like no else could. I won't be the same.
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“The pain and tears are flowing big time. But God will give me the strength to get myself back together.
“Merci pour tout Roger Menama Lukaku Vieux Roy (for his friends). Mon Papa.”
Roger began his football career with Vita Club in his home country before joining Africa Sports D’Abdijan in the Ivory Coast.
He moved to Belgium in 1990 with the second-string team Boom and went on to play for Seraing, Germinal Ekeren, Mechelen, and Oostende. He also had a brief stint in Turkey with Genclerbirligi.
Romelu has played for a host of top-flight teams, scoring over 350 goals for club and country.
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