The president of the Italian Football Federation, Carlo Tavecchio, has been banned for six months by European football governing body UEFA for making racist remarks.
The 71-year-old caused controversy during his election campaign in July by referring to “eating bananas” when discussing foreign players.
He later apologised for his remarks.
The ban means Tavecchio cannot hold any UEFA position and will be barred from the next UEFA congress in March 2015.
He will be unable to carry to carry out his duties as a member of UEFA’s youth and amateur football committee, and has also been told by the governing body to “organise a special event in Italy aimed at increasing awareness against racism”.
However, Tavecchio will continue as head of the FIGC after the federation’s internal prosecutor dropped his inquiry over the comment last month.
The remark, made when discussing the recruitment of foreign players, referred to a fictitious signing named Opti Poba.
Tavecchio was elected as president in August, beating former AC Milan player Demetrio Albertini
His appointment was described as “a dark day for football” by former Nigeria and Juventus player Sunday Oliseh.
Tavecchio was previously president of Italy’s amateur leagues association from 1999 to 2014.
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