Former Juventus and Parma defender Lilian Thuram claims he would be ‘ashamed to be Italian’ in 2018.
A Frenchman of Guadeloupian descent, Thuram was asked about how he would feel living in a country semi-governed by right-wing politician and Lega Nord leader Matteo Salvini, known for his heavy anti-immigration stance.
“How would I feel in Salvini’s Italy? Listen, I played in Italy in 2002 when Jean-Marie Le Pen came to the ballot against [Jacques] Chirac in the French presidential elections,” he told FamigliaCristiana.it.
Former Juventus and Parma defender Lilian Thuram claims he would be ‘ashamed to be Italian’ in 2018.
A Frenchman of Guadeloupian descent, Thuram was asked about how he would feel living in a country semi-governed by right-wing politician and Lega Nord leader Matteo Salvini, known for his heavy anti-immigration stance.
“How would I feel in Salvini’s Italy? Listen, I played in Italy in 2002 when Jean-Marie Le Pen came to the ballot against [Jacques] Chirac in the French presidential elections,” he told FamigliaCristiana.it.
“Back then I was ashamed of being French. I told myself: how can this happen? Today, if I was Italian I’d feel the same.
“I’d find it shameful to see my country represented by such a person. First of all, I’m worried because I’m a black man and I know that racism is no joke.
“I’m worried because racism is always violent and lots of white people aren’t realising how dangerous the rise of the far right in Europe can be.
“The first act of racism is to say that the presence of certain people isn’t legitimate. This is what is being said towards many foreigners today, and the colour of your skin immediately identifies you as a foreigner.
“Football doesn’t live in a bubble. If there’s racism in society then you’ll also find it at football stadia. Unfortunately, racism is a world view.”
The 46-year-old won two Scudetti with Juve and the UEFA Cup with Parma and remains France’s most-capped player, representing his country 142 times.
Salvini, meanwhile, has had run-ins with Nice and Italy striker Mario Balotelli in the past.