UEFA President Michel Platini praised Francesco Totti and Paul Pogba, while stating Carlo Tavecchio is “not racist, just stupid.”
UEFA President Michel Platini praised Francesco Totti and Paul Pogba, while stating Carlo Tavecchio is “not racist, just stupid.”
The former Juventus hero spoke to Sky Sport Italia and was naturally asked to comment on the six-month UEFA ban on FIGC President Tavecchio for making racist comments.
“His candidacy was decided by the majority and we cannot interfere. The Disciplinary Committee made its decision and a six-month ban is not very much,” said Platini.
“We are in a democracy. Tavecchio did something stupid, it was a daft statement. I don’t think he’s racist. Basically it was a cock-up.”
Roma host Bayern Munich in the Champions League this evening and Platini did not disguise his admiration for their captain.
“I have always said Totti is a genius of football. He is perhaps the only true genius who spent his entire career in one club, when he could’ve won so much more going abroad.
“Rudi Garcia has done great work at Roma and I am proud to see a Frenchman do so well in Rome. He gets the team playing good football and everyone is happy with him.”
Garcia is not the only Frenchman making waves in Serie A, as Pogba has become a regular for Juventus and Les Bleus.
“Juve are one of the biggest clubs in Europe, so he has no real need to leave. He will decide what to do with his family. There will be a lot of money offered, but I think Andrea Agnelli will make the right decision.”
Finally, Platini was asked about Italy’s appeal to introduce video replays into Serie A games.
“I am totally against the use of video evidence during a game. We have the most beautiful sport in the world and we want to break up this fluidity?”