By Mark Baber
May 25 – The Italian Women’s FA Cup final went ahead as originally scheduled after the President of the National Amateur League, Felice Belloli (pictured), was sacked following the uproar over his sexist and homophobic comments which had sparked a player’s boycott.
At a league committee meeting Belloli, speaking of women’s football, said: “Just do not always think of giving money to these four lesbians.”
Belloli denied making the comments but they were initially publicised on March 5 by www.soccerlife.it which obtained minutes of the meeting. Five witnesses then came forward to tell federal authorities they heard the comments being made.
At a two hour meeting of the presidents of regional committees of the National Amateur League on Thursday a motion of no confidence in Belloli was passed unanimously whilst similar steps were taken by the Italian Football Federation in Rome.
Italian FA President Carlo Tavecchio, who has himself served FIFA and UEFA bans for his own racist comments, weighed in on the issue saying: “If Belloli has said these things, then it’s serious. These words are hateful and unacceptable.”
Belloli was elected November 10, 2014 but his term lasted only 6 months.
The end of Belloli’s short reign was greeted by the coach of Brescia, Milena Bertolini, who told local media that his sacking could mark a first step towards the development of women’s football in Italy and help lay the foundation for bringing “Italian women’s football to the level of other major European countries.”
Brescia won Saturday’s Cup Final with a 4-0 victory over Tavagnacco who had won the previous two editions.
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