Soccer must fight racism says govt

(ANSA) - Rome, July 30 - Soccer and other sports will be on the forefront in the fight against racism, the government's anti-racism office said Wednesday.
    "In the new multiethnic Italian reality, soccer must be an instrument of integration," said National Anti-Discrimination Office (UNAR) chief Marco De Giorgi.
    Fighting racism in sport has been included in the government's national plan of action against racism, xenophobia and intolerance, he added.
    "Tavecchio's remarks are a problem, because of their content and because they were made at a public meeting," De Giorgi said. Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) presidential hopeful Carlo Tavecchio, 71, caused controversy last week when he made comments about "banana-eating" players as he was outlining his plans for Italian football if he takes the helm of the federation.
    Tavecchio also called for tighter restrictions on non-EU players in Italian soccer.