Michel Platini has labelled Carlo Tavecchio’s recent racist phrase as ‘astonishing’, as he emphasised UEFA’s stance against racism.
Michel Platini has labelled Carlo Tavecchio’s recent racist phrase as ‘astonishing’, as he emphasised UEFA’s stance against racism.
The newly-elected FIGC President saw his election campaign hit by racists comments uttered in response to the debate over lifting non-EU sanctions for players entering into Serie A.
UEFA have since launched an investigation into the matter and, addressing the European body’s the Respect Diversity Conference today, their President has also commented on the matter.
“Recently the one elected as President of the Football Federation has expressed words that caused astonishment and condemnation,” Platini has told those attending in Rome today.
“And that is why UEFA has launched a disciplinary investigation. Football is an extraordinary example of social mixing and diversity of all kinds.
“From the most insignificant kickabout in the suburbs to the bright lights of a UEFA Champions League final, diversity, as a reflection of globalisation, is overtly displayed together with all the challenges it poses and all the opportunities it offers.
“This is a gentle way of saying something that might be better expressed more bluntly: gone are the days of football in Europe being a sport for middle-aged chauvinists, and thank God those days will never return.
“Football is extremely popular; it excites the passions of hundreds of millions of young people, it fills their dreams and frequently their aspirations too. Of course, this extraordinary popularity also brings with it responsibilities that extend far beyond the realms of sport.
“The very fact that it has such a huge public following means that football has a duty to convey values that can help make society more tolerant of diversity. It has to set an example.
“Those who govern our sport must protect the players from all forms of discrimination in what is, in effect, their workplace. They do so simply because these players, as humans, are entitled to respect. 'RESPECT' is the name of the campaign that I launched six years ago to tackle the evils that often afflict our sport. At the heart of our preoccupation is, of course, discrimination.”