International football governing body FIFA has instructed the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to launch an investigation into comments allegedly made by a candidate running for its presidency that were deemed racist and unacceptable.
Carlo Tavecchio, 71, is understood to have provoked uproar at the weekend with remarks he made in a discussion about foreign players in Italy.
Using a fictitious player name in his example, the Italian said at the summer assembly of Italy’s amateur leagues (LND): “In England they select players based on professionalism, whereas here in Italy we say that ‘Opti Poba is here, he was eating bananas before and now he’s starting for Lazio,’ and that is OK.”
The comments made by Tavecchio were brought to the attention of FIFA’s Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination chairman, Jeffrey Webb.
A letter was sent to the FIGC to highlight the comments made by Tavecchio along with a reminder that the battle to eliminate racism is a top priority for FIFA.
The FIGC has been asked to start the necessary probe and make resolution in the most appropriate way in order to send out a powerful message condemning racism.