Ranieri: 'Not real racism in stadiums'

By Football Italia staff

Roma Coach Claudio Ranieri claims racist abuse in Italian stadiums “is not real racism, or at least it’s only a very small part of it.”

The debate continues in Italy over how to deal with racist jeers from fans, but former Chelsea and Leicester City manager Ranieri does not see it as a big problem.

“The racism you hear in stadiums is just something very silly to mock, in a very, very stupid way, a lad whose skin colour is not as light,” Ranieri told La Gazzetta dello Sport in a filmed interview.

“It’s silliness. I don’t think there is real racism in stadiums, or at least it’s only a very small part of it.”

He was brought in as caretaker manager and confirmed he will leave at the end of the season.

“I’ve had a lot of fun! Coaching the squad of the town where you were born, where you cheered them on from the stands, in the Curva, in away games, it’s different to anything else.”

Roma have brought some talented young players through, such as Nicolò Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini, so Ranieri was asked for advice on how other clubs can follow suit.

“Talents don’t come around all the time, but the important thing is for there to be consistent work behind the talent. The name everyone mentions is Cristiano Ronaldo, because along with having talent, he continues to train and work as if it was his first session. He has the same enthusiasm as a kid.”

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