Petrachi sorry for ‘little girls’ remark

By Football Italia staff

Roma sporting director Gianluca Petrachi has apologised for describing football as “a man’s game, not a ballet class for little girls.”

Petrachi made the comments after Roma’s 1-1 draw with Cagliari on Sunday, when Nikola Kalinic had a goal chalked off for appearing to shove Fabio Pisacane.

“It was contact, not a push, because this is a contact sport and not a ballet class for little girls. It is a man’s game and there is contact,” he fumed.

That sparked a backlash, most notably from Italy women’s CT Milena Bertolini, who accused the 50-year-old of still living “in the last century”.

“I’m sorry if anyone was offended by the words I used,” the ex-Torino man later clarified via the Giallorossi’s official Twitter account.

“It wasn’t my intention to suggest that football is only a man’s game & not for young ladies.

“Football is for everyone and, at Roma, we’re proud of our women’s team and our role in promoting women’s football.”

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