Former AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini is embarrassed over the scandal caused by Italian Football Federation president Carlo Tavecchio, who has recently come under fire for alleged racist comments.
The FIGC president has been widely condemned following the release of an audio tape in which he can seemingly be heard to be making anti-Semitic and homophobic remarks.
Albertini, who challenged Tavecchio in summer 2014’s election, has now warned that the 72-year-old’s gaffes have embarrassed Italy around the world and that many will now view the Football Federation as racist.
“The situation is just embarrassing now,” Albertini told Radio 24.
“Firstly, it has to be said that the CONI President [Giovanni Malago] has already said there are no conditions to intervene and that we cannot appoint someone else to be in charge of the Federation, in place of Tavecchio.
“I repeat, however, that the situation is embarrassing, and everyone can see it.
“In today’s society words carry weight, and if you have such a prestigious role like that then you just can’t make mistakes like that.
“We see this as yet another gaffe, but abroad people will see it as racist.
“Being from Lombardy [where both figures were born] I joke around too, but he cannot afford this, with the role he plays and what he represents.”
