Zlatan Ibrahimovic posts anti-racism message following Milan-derby clash with Romelu Lukaku

Swedish veteran was reported to have been picked up by pitch-side microphones saying 'go do your voodoo' to his former Manchester United teammate

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, right, clashes with Romelu Lukaku of Inter Milan during the Coppa Italia quarter-final at the San Siro on Tuesday, January 26. Inter won the tie 2-1. Reuters

Zlatan Ibrahimovic argues with Romelu Lukaku during the Coppa Italia match. EPA

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku continue to argue after being separated by teammates. EPA

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic argues with Romelu Lukaku. EPA

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic after his challenge on Inter defender Aleksandar Kolarov that earned him a second yellow card. AFP

Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic is shown a red card by referee Paolo Valeri. Reuters

Zlatan Ibrahimovic after being sent-off. AFP

Zlatan Ibrahimovic walks past AC Milan manager after the veteran striker had been sent-off. AFP

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates with teammate Alessio Romagnoli after opening the scoring in the 31st minute. AFP

Inter forward Romelu Lukaku scores from the spot to level the scores after 71 minutes. AFP

Inter Milan's players celebrate Christian Eriksen's late winner. AFP

Inter's Christian Eriksencurls home the winner from a free-kick. Reuters

Inter's Christian Eriksencurls home the winner from a free-kick. Reuters

Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte. EPA

Inter Milan players celebrate Christian Eriksen's winner. PA

Inter Milan substitute Christian Eriksen, left, celebrates after scoring the winner. AFP

Inter Milan players celebrate Christian Eriksen's winner. Reuters

Inter Milan's Arturo Vidal shoots at goal. AFP

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has denied using racist language during his angry exchange with Romelu Lukaku in Tuesday's Milan derby in the Coppa Italia.

The AC Milan striker squared up to his Inter Milan counterpart – and former Manchester United teammate – at the San Siro during the end of the first half.

Ibrahimovic taunted Lukaku and infuriated the Belgian by laughing in his face before the pair went head-to-head.

"Go to your voodoo s***, you little donkey," pitch-side microphones reportedly picked up Ibrahimovic allegedly telling Lukaku in English, alluding to an episode during Lukaku's time at Premier League side Everton.

Lukaku, in turn, was heard swearing at Ibrahimovic, making lewd references to his family.

In 2018, Everton owner Farhad Moshiri suggested Lukaku had declined a new contract at the club after heeding the advice of a voodoo message.

In an interview with the BBC in January 2018, a representative of the player raised the possibility of taking legal action against Moshiri.

On Tuesday, Ibrahimovic and Lukaku continued to trade insults as they headed towards the tunnel with the furious Belgian being restrained by his teammates. Both players were booked over the incident, while the 39-year-old was later sent-off after picking up a second yellow card.

Christian Eriksen scored a last-gasp winner to send Inter into the semi-finals 2-1, following goals by both Ibrahimovic and Lukaku, the latter from the penalty spot.

Milan manager Stefano Pioli said that the veteran forward, who player for Inter from 2006-09, apologised after the game for leaving the team a man down.

The BBC also reported that he had assured teammates that there were no racist intentions to any of his words with Lukaku.

On Wednesday, the Swede took to Twitter, writing: "In Zlatan's world there is no place for racism.

"We are all the same race – we are all equal!! We are all players some better then others."

In 2019, Ibrahimovic gave an interview to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in which he said he had once offered Lukaku £50 for every time he had a good first touch.

The matter was being discussed by the Italian Football Federation on Wednesday and an update is expected by Friday.