By Andrew Warshaw
August 4 – In what will be regarded as, at best, an unfortunate turn or phrase and at worst another disgraceful gaffe, the Italian official at the centre of the latest racism storm in European football says he believes he has suffered more pressure than even former US president John F Kennedy’s assassin.
Carlo Tavecchio, already under fire for describing African footballers as “banana eaters”, is vying with former international midfielder Demetrio Albertini to replace Giancarlo Abete as Italian FA federation (FIGC) president but has hardly improved his chances with his widely reported follow-up remarks.
On Sunday the 71-year-old responded to critics calling on him to quit the race by comparing his situation to that of Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy in 1963.
“Not even Kennedy’s assassin had to suffer what I’ve been through over the last few days,” Tavecchio told Rai Radio Uno. “And to think this week is the third anniversary of my work in Africa, where I contributed to building a hospital and sponsored three children.”
Tavecchio, head of the amateur game in Italy, has long been considered favourite to beat fellow FIGC vice-president Albertini in the race to succeed Abete who quit after country’s group phase World Cup elimination in Brazil.
But his stock fell dramatically after he was condemned for his comments about African players, made whilst expressing his concern about the influx of foreign players into the Italian game.
And now Tavecchio is in even further trouble a week ahead of the election.
Juventus’ Giorgio Chiellini, the Italian defender who was bitten by Luis Suarez at the World Cup, added his voice to mounting criticism of Tavecchio’s position.
“I asked myself how could Italian football be heading towards an election in such a manner,” said Chiellini. “I have nothing personal against Tavecchio but, at the moment, the only adequate person for the role is Albertini. We cannot let Italian football embarrass itself again. We need a person with a certain decorum and personality to fill such roles.”
Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis also criticised Tavecchio. “He’s not suitable, if the FIGC want to change, that they cannot do it with a figure such as him,” he told reporters. “We need something different.”
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