In recent years, AC Milan have talked a good talk when it comes to fighting racism in Italy. But it is now both obvious and disheartening to realize that the club has no intention of taking concrete steps to actually combat the problem.

In January 2013, Milan were making the most of Italy's winter break by playing a friendly at lower-division side Pro Patria. After 26 minutes, Kevin-Prince Boateng, the target of the home crowd's racist abuse, threw his shirt to the ground and walked off. When the Pro Patria captain couldn't convince him to return to the field, the rest of his team followed.

Silvio Berlusconi publicly commended Boateng for his actions, assuring the public that, should a similar situation occur in competitive play, the team would again walk off the field. The Milan owner's words were proven to be nothing more than pompous public relations fodder a year later, when Kevin Constant and Nigel de Jong were racially abused by Atalanta fans. Milan played out the Serie A match.

This week, Milan were presented another chance to take a stand against racism. Over the weekend, Carlo Tavecchio caused a stir with his outlandish, racist comments:

Here instead we get Opti Pobà, who previously ate bananas and then suddenly becomes a first-team player with Lazio. That’s how it is here. In England, you need to demonstrate what you have on your CV and your pedigree.

Tavecchio was speaking about the need to implement restrictions on players entering Italy from outside the EU. But Opti Pobà is not a real player. He is a reference to players from Africa joining Italian sides. Tavecchio is, in fact, calling Africans "banana eaters."

The problem is, Tavecchio isn't just another fan prone to making offensive statements. He is one of the vice-presidents of the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC), and when he made this statement, he was speaking to a gathering of the national amateur league, of which he is in charge. Finally, Tavecchio is also the front-runner to become the next president of the FIGC.

He is a powerful man, whose personal and professional views will have wide-ranging consequences for the leagues and players in Italy. And he is making comments comparing African players, generic "Opti Pobàs," to monkeys.

Even after the public comments, Tavecchio remains in pole position to assume the presidency of the FIGC. That's not to say he hasn't been condemned by many. He's been denounced by politicians, such as MP Davide Faraone, who noted Tavecchio shouldn't have the right to lead when he makes the same remarks that ultras and teams are (occasionally) punished for. Damiano Tommasi, president of the Italian Footballers Association, also condemned Tavecchio after receiving several complaints from players. Teams, too, have withdrawn their support, with Fiorentina, Cesena, Sampdoria and Sassuolo sensibly distancing themselves.

But other clubs aren't backing down. Milan released a statement holding firm in their support. Vice-President Adriano Galliani as perspicuous as ever, said "It was certainly an unfortunate phrase, but that's where it ends. Milan's position does not change. Tavecchio is not a racist, he just made an unfortunate comment."

Like Tavecchio, Milan are hardly powerless. You may have heard of their president, seeing as he was the prime minister of Italy on a number of occasions over the past 20 years. Berlusconi also has significant investments in Italian media. The club itself is one of the most successful in the history of the sport, a fact often trotted out to hide their current shortcomings. Yet Milan are still a mainstay in Italian and European football with a heavy influence on the FIGC.

In fact, many members of the FIGC have Milanese ties, including Tavecchio's opposition for the FIGC presidency. Demetrio Albertini is a former Milan star and a man that they could easily lend their support to instead. The illustrious club was in a position to really make a reverberating statement against racism and Tavecchio, a position they've relinquished in cowardice.

What we have, then, is a team that has seemingly championed racial equality and the rights of players as humans beings doing as little as possible to support such statements. It is a team that was presented with a glorious chance to prove their mettle and condemn Tevacchio, his statements and the septic attitude of Italian racism and chose to do otherwise. But in backing him, Milan has now shown their true attitudes.

This incident reminds the world why racism in Italy is far from disappearing. The FIGC is run by individuals whose racist views are considered to be an "unfortunate phrase," individuals who enjoy the backing of the most powerful teams in the league. Such incidents may reveal why the FIGC has always been lax in their punishment for racist abuse, fining teams measly amounts and closing fan curvas for a game or two. Such slaps on the wrists do nothing more than enforce the racist behavior.

The laxness of the authorities was enough to draw the ire of Sepp Blatter, after the FIGC fined Roma just $65,000 after the racial abuse of Milan's Mario Balotelli by the club's fans. Blatter was incredulous, saying "What is $65,000 for such an incident? I'm not happy, and I will call the Italian Federation, that's not a way to deal with such matters." These paltry fines are the only punishments that the FIGC deems suitable for the dehumanizing of innocent players, even after FIFA itself imposes stricter punishments, like stadium closures and point deductions.

Carlo Tavecchio is making comments comparing African players, generic "Opti Pobàs," to monkeys.

The racism that seems to thrive in calcio is why Italian football seems worlds behind the modern game and progressive leagues. The attitude that skin color or geographical origin renders some less human than others seems rampant amongst players, fans and the powers that be in management. For every incident, the league digs up the same old statements and dismissals in order to excuse it.

Tavecchio seems to be no different than those who disgrace themselves by throwing bananas at black players, those who shriek and imitate monkey noises. Yet he is different, as he holds a position of power. So to does Paolo Berlusconi, brother of Silvio and non-executive vice president, who once called Mario Balotelli "the family's little n*****". The statement was downplayed by both Milan and Paolo, who claimed that he was just being affectionate.

It is no wonder the FIGC are able to ignore the racism that pervades soccer on the peninsula. Teams like Milan, who claim to be against discrimination, in fact do nothing to combat it. Instead they downplay its dehumanizing effects. Milan had a golden opportunity to demonstrate distaste for Tavecchio's archaic attitudes, yet chose to continue to support him. Milan has done much more with their actions than the frail and frivolous words they routinely lend to the campaign against racism. Power speaks, and it speaks louder than any carefully designed and hollow public statement. It is the tell-tale heart of Italian football.