Romelu Lukaku reveals horrific 'extortion' plot over father's corpse and confirms funeral disappointment in heartbreaking update from Napoli striker

Napoli striker Lukaku has accused certain individuals in DR Congo of “extortion” following his father Roger Lukaku’s death. The Belgium international said that he and his brother Jordan were denied the chance to bring their father’s body back to Belgium, where they had planned to hold the funeral. Roger, a former Zaire international who spent much of his playing career in Belgium, passed away in September aged 58 in Kinshasa. Despite their efforts, the Lukaku brothers claim they were forced to change funeral plans due to decisions made in the Congolese capital.

In a heartbreaking Instagram post, Lukaku wrote, “As you may know we planned to have the funeral this Friday but because of certain decisions being made in Kinshasa will the funeral 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 know why our dad used to keep us away from a lot of people.”

Lukaku posted an emotional tribute to his late father in the wake of his death last month, saying that his life will "never be the same" without him. 

“Thank you for teaching me everything I know. I’m forever grateful and appreciate you," he said.

The Napoli forward added: “The pain and tears are flowing big time. But God will give me the strength to get myself back together.”

Neither Lukaku has not said when the funeral in Kinshasa will take place or whether he and his brother will be able to attend, as the family continues to grapple with the alleged “extortion” that disrupted their plans. The ordeal has added fresh pain to an already devastating loss, leaving the brothers heartbroken.

As Lukaku continues his recovery from injury, the emotional toll of the situation has clearly weighed on him off the pitch. Yet, his father’s legacy remains strong, Roger Lukaku’s football journey began at Vita Club in DR Congo before moving to Africa Sports d’Abidjan in Ivory Coast. He later settled in Belgium in 1990, turning out for Boom, Seraing, Germinal Ekeren, Mechelen and Oostende, where he netted 47 goals in 135 top-flight games. He even had a short spell in Turkey with Genclerbirligi, marking a career that inspired his sons to follow in his footsteps.