UEFA is probing new Italian football federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio over an alleged racist remark, Europe’s ruling football body said on Wednesday.
Tavecchio, 71, is suspected to have made a racist remark in connection with foreign players in the country in summer during his presidential campaign. He later apologized and was elected FIGC president last week.
In an attempt to criticize the excessive reliance of clubs on foreigners at the expense of homegrown talent, Tavecchio said in the controversial the likes of “Opti Poba” – a made-up, African-sounding name – play in Serie A while “before they used to eat bananas.”
Football’s ruling body FIFA requested a FIGC investigation and UEFA is now also looking into the matter.
UEFA said in a statement that Tavecchio “has today been personally informed about the decision of its Chief Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to open a disciplinary investigation on alleged racist comments made by him during his FIGC presidential election campaign.
“Once the report has been completed, the UEFA Chief Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will submit its conclusions to the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body to render a decision about this matter.”
Tavecchio said in a FIGC statement: “I am serene and I respect UEFA’s decision. Besides, they were obliged to act, so we were expecting this, and I am sure that I will be able to explain, even before UEFA, both my mistake and my real intentions.”
GNA
PDC
