Carlo Tavecchio received support in his racism scandal from Lazio’s” data-scaytid=”2″>Lazio’s African talent Joseph Minala. “I am grateful.”

Carlo Tavecchio received support in his racism scandal from Lazio’s African talent Joseph Minala. “I am grateful.”

The front-runner for the FIGC Presidency is facing numerous calls to step down and even threats of legal action after he made racist comments during his presentation speech on Friday.

“We say that any old Opti Pobà can come here, before he was eating bananas, now he’s playing in the Lazio first XI,” said 71-year-old Tavecchio.

Now the President of the LND (amateur league) has been given public support by Lazio midfielder Minala.

“I am grateful to Carlo Tavecchio, who helped me when I arrived from Africa and was abandoned by an agent,” the 17-year-old told ANSA news agency.

“Frankly, I have no reason to feel offended by Tavecchio’s words, which I think have been used against him for I don’t know what reason.

“During my football experience if I owe something to anyone, it’s Carlo Tavecchio. I know what it means to come from Africa with the hope of becoming a great player.

“I know what it means to be abandoned at a train station by unscrupulous agent with many false promises.

“When I was fortunately transferred to the Città dei Ragazzi shelter, it was Tavecchio who put me in the football circuit, allowing me to test my abilities with the amateur league.

“In just eight months I had moved up to the Primavera team and then Serie A, making my dream come true.”

Minala compared this controversy to the world-wide debate over his real age, with some sources reporting the teenager was in fact closer to 40.

“I have seen a media circus descend on Tavecchio that is as ridiculous and embarrassing as the one around my age.

“Now that really was an act of discrimination against me, enhanced by most of the national media and pseudo-pundits.

“They are the same ones who are now scandalised by a phrase that was obviously, and at this point purposefully, misinterpreted.

“Looking at my case, and the support I received from Tavecchio, the controversy seems inopportune and a means to an end.”

Minala plays for Lazio, whose President Claudio Lotito is the strongest supporter of Tavecchio’s candidacy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tickets Kit Collector