Last updated on .From the section European Football

Serie A chief executive Luigi de Siervo (left) and artist Simone Fugazzotto revealed the artwork at a news conference on Monday

Serie A has apologised after imagery of monkeys was used in artwork for an anti-racism campaign.

The league received heavy criticism from Italian clubs AC Milan and Roma as well as anti-discrimination organisations for the posters.

"I realised it was inappropriate," said the league's chief executive Luigi De Siervo in a statement.

Artist Simone Fugazzotto had defended his creation by saying "we are all monkeys".

The 'No To Racism' posters show three monkeys with painted faces and it remains to be seen whether they will be displayed at Serie A headquarters in Milan as scheduled.

The issue comes fewer than three weeks after clubs pledged to combat Italian football's "serious problem".

Milan said they "strongly disagree" with the use of monkeys, while Roma expressed their "surprise", adding: "We understand the league wants to tackle racism but we don't believe this is the right way to do it."

Anti-discriminatory body Fare said it was left "speechless" and the campaign looked like a "sick joke", while Kick It Out added the use of monkeys was "completely inappropriate".

De Siervo added: "What cannot be questioned is the strong and constant condemnation by Serie A against all forms of discrimination and racism, and we are committed to eradicate this from our beloved league.

"Serie A is working on its official anti-racism campaign, which cannot be identified with Simone Fugazzotto's work, and it will be presented by the end of February."

In November, Brescia's Mario Balotelli called fans who shouted racist abuse at him "small-minded" and "imbeciles".

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku said the abuse he suffered in September, when Cagliari fans made monkey noises after the Belgium striker scored a penalty against their team, showed the game was "going backwards".