Former AC Milan and Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi has tried to defend himself from allegations of being racist by claiming that the press twisted his words.
The 68-year-old was recently quoted as saying that Italian youth teams had too many black players, but he attempted to defend his comments by pointing out that he had Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard in his AC Milan squads.
“I will not speak anymore with the press,” Sacchi said to ANSA. “They reported uttered phrases in a 15-minute conversation to attribute thoughts that are not mine.
“Thirty years ago I had coloured players in my squad and now I see myself painted as a racist.”
Sacchi made his comments in regards to foreigners in Italian youth teams after watching Inter triumph in the Viareggio Cup with a squad containing several imported players.
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