February 19 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been quick to react to former Italian national coach Arrigo Sacchi’s complaint that there were too many black players in Italian youth football.
Blatter took to Twitter to express his “shock” at remarks reportedly made during an awards ceremony in Tuscany following an annual youth tournament.
Sacchi apparently said, ” I feel like saying that there are too many black players, even in the youth teams”.
Responding to those comments, Blatter posted on Twitter: “Pride and dignity is not a question of skin colour. Shocked by Arrigo Sacchi’s comments. Stop it”.
Sacchi has denied his comments were racist, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I’m not racist and my history as a coach shows that.”
Misunderstanding the whole issue, Sacchi dug an even deeper hole for himself by saying the proof that he is not racist was that he employed several black players during his career, with famed stars like Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit playing under him at AC Milan.
But it will not be lost on Sacchi that last year Italian FA (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio was banned for six months after he made an inappropriate comment about African players.
The comments of Sacchi, who led Milan to successive European Cup crowns in 1989 and 1990 and took Italy to the 1994 World Cup final, have also been denounced by anti-racism group Kick it Out.
“Kick It Out fully condemns the comments made by former Italy and AC Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi that ‘there are too many black players’ in youth football in Italy,” said a statement.
“It is further proof of the prejudiced attitudes which continue to exist across the game, and the level of work required to educate those holding influential positions and statuses.
“Football is an international sport which should be accepting of people of all backgrounds and cultures. The reality is that we are a long way off seeing a game which is fully inclusive.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734787609labto1734787609ofdlr1734787609owedi1734787609sni@n1734787609osloh1734787609cin.l1734787609uap1734787609