FIFA request Tavecchio investigation

By Football Italia staff

FIFA have written to the Italian Football Federation to request that they investigate remarks made by prospective FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio.

Tavecchio’s candidacy to replace Giancarlo Abete has come under scrutiny over the weekend following remarks made in relation to foreign players in Serie A.

“We say that any old Opti Pobà can come here, before he was eating bananas, now he’s playing in the Lazio first XI,” 71-year-old Tavecchio on Friday.

It is a situation that has divided elements of the Italian game, with some quarters still backing the current LND chief, but clubs such as Fiorentina and Sampdoria questioning their original position behind him.

Now the situation has escalated with the game’s governing body stepping in and confirming it has written to the FIGC requesting an investigation and report on the matter.

“Media reports concerning alleged racist comments by one of the presidential candidates for the Italian FA have alerted FIFA’s Task Force against racism and discrimination and its chairman Jeffrey Webb,” FIFA have written in a statement released today.

“As such, FIFA has written a letter to the Italian FA asking it to take the appropriate steps to investigate and decide on this matter and report to FIFA.

“In the letter, FIFA reminded the Italian FA that the fight against racism is a top priority for FIFA. In 2013, the FIFA Congress unanimously passed a strong resolution on the fight against racism and discrimination, which, among other measures, reminded the member associations about their obligation to put every effort into eliminating racism and discrimination in football.

“In its correspondence, FIFA also stressed that officials of the football community are expected to act as role models in the fight against racism.”

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