Patrick Vieira has slammed Italian clubs’ decision to vote in Carlo Tavecchio as the new FIGC President, accusing them of not fighting racism.
Patrick Vieira has slammed Italian clubs’ decision to vote in Carlo Tavecchio as the new FIGC President, accusing them of not fighting racism.
Tavecchio yesterday comfortably won the election to be installed as the new head of Italian football’s governing body, defeating rival candidate Demetrio Albertini, despite referring to African players as ‘banana eaters’ during the build up to the vote.
"I'm finding it really hard to believe that Carlo Tavecchio has been elected as president of the Italian FA after the comments that he made," Vieira, who played for Milan, Juventus and Inter, wrote on Twitter.
"For me, that shows how far away the Italian football authorities are from dealing with discrimination.
“63 per cent of those that voted are admitting that they aren't fighting against racism, or that they don't want to fight these problems.
"I played in Italy for years so I know the issues, I saw the issues. If he was an English man making this kind of comment, politically, he would be completely out.
"This decision was made in football, but I think it is bigger than football. It should make the whole country of Italy look at the message they want to send about what they think about racism.
"I can't believe he will represent the Italian football authorities. What a shame."