Italian Olympic Committee (CONI)
President Giovanni Malagò on Wednesday lamented the "image
damage" done by UEFA banning Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC)
Chief Carlo Tavecchio from its committees for six months for
racist comments.
European soccer's governing body handed down the
punishment over Tavecchio's reference to "banana-eating" non-EU
players in July during his campaign to become FIGC head.
While stressing that Tavecchio's election in August was
"absolutely democratic", Malagò said that "everyone" in Italian
soccer knew than an embarrassing ban was in store for the new
chief before the vote.
"Even though they knew this would happen, they decided it
was right to vote for Tavecchio," Malagò said.
"I think there's an image problem but this was a price
that everyone in the soccer world knew (would have to be paid)".
Malagò, the head of Italian sport, added that he was
powerless to do anything but acknowledge the situation.
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