FIGC chief Gabriele Gravina claims Serie A has been “exposed to a series of attacks that we don’t deserve” and backs Giancarlo Abete to steady the ship.
Serie A has been under a hail of controversy this week after it rolled out a new initiative to combat racism with three monkey faces.
That forced CEO Luigi De Siervo to issue a partial apology, although artist Simone Fugazzotto stood by his works.
“Advertising campaigns are always exaggerated to strike attention,” Gravina said at a council meeting.
FIGC chief Gabriele Gravina claims Serie A has been “exposed to a series of attacks that we don’t deserve” and backs Giancarlo Abete to steady the ship.
Serie A has been under a hail of controversy this week after it rolled out a new initiative to combat racism with three monkey faces.
That forced CEO Luigi De Siervo to issue a partial apology, although artist Simone Fugazzotto stood by his works.
“Advertising campaigns are always exaggerated to strike attention,” Gravina said at a council meeting.
“But this seems to me to have exceeded the limit and exposed Italian football to a series of attacks that it doesn’t deserve.
“We have received requests for clarifications from international bodies on the methods, procedures and possible responsibilities of the subjects who have implemented this campaign. We will answer them.”
Abete, a former FIGC President, is back in Italian football, taking interim charge of the top flight after previous commissioner Mario Cicala was forced to step down.
However, reaction to his return has been muted, given his tenure with the federation between 2007 and 2014 yielded little success on and off the field.
“Giancarlo Abete is a person of great balance and experience, who already knows our world perfectly and therefore the dynamics of Serie A.
“He’s an equidistant figure who deserves respect. He offers guarantees beyond reasonable doubt and suspicion.
“Abete is a ferryman on temporary assignment. The hope is that Serie A, as soon as possible, proceeds to put a new governance in place.”