Italian Football Federation President Carlo Tavecchio Banned for Racist Comment

Italian Football Federation president Carlo Tavecchio has been suspended for six months by UEFA for a racist remark made during his campaign to take over the position.

Rob Harris of the Associated Press passed along word of the ban:

Tavecchio commented on the decision following the announcement, via Football Italia:

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'You do not comment on decisions, you follow and respect them,'  declared Tavecchio.

'But this changes nothing regarding my position in the FIGC.'

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An investigation was launched after Tavecchio used a poor example to explain his stance on the number of foreign players in Italian leagues. The Press Association (via The Guardian) translated a report from Italian outlet La Repubblica with the comment.

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England identifies the players coming in and, if they are professional, they are allowed to play.

Here, on the other hand, let's say there's [fictional player] Opti Poba, who has come here, who previously was eating bananas and now is a first-team player for Lazio. In England he has to demonstrate his CV and his pedigree.

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Unsurprisingly, that statement sparked outrage. Tavecchio was still elected as the new president to replace Giancarlo Abete, though.

The 71-year-old executive, who previously led the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti covering the country's youth leagues, apologized for the remark. Ben Rumsby of The Telegraph provided a statement from him after the investigation was announced.

"I am calm and I respect UEFA's decision," he said. "It's something that had to be done. Hence, we had foreseen it. I am certain that I will also be able to explain in UEFA's headquarters my mistake as well as my true intentions."

Whatever he told the officials wasn't enough to spare him a ban, which shouldn't be a shock considering the nature of the comment. Sere Perfetto of Vavel provides further details about the punishment:

Ultimately, UEFA had very little choice but to hand down an extended ban. The administrative body of European football, and FIFA as a whole, has taken a strong stance against racism. So it couldn't let a key official avoid punishment.

Whether it will have any further impact on his status as president of the Italian Football Federation is unclear. The situation should become more clear in the days ahead.