Coaching great said there were too many black players in the Italian national team…
Former Italian national team manager and coaching great Arrigo Sacchi has attempted to clarify contentious comments he made earlier this week, which have been deemed by many as racist.
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The ex-AC Milan boss was reported to have said that Italy had ‘no dignity, no pride’ because there were 15 foreign players in a team’s squad and that even at youth level there were ‘too many black players’.
“I’m certainly not racist and my history as a coach proves that, starting from [Frank] Rijkaard” Sacchi said at an awards ceremony, reports La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
“But looking at the Viareggio tournament I feel like saying that there are too many black players, even in the youth teams.
“Italy has no dignity, no pride. It’s not possible that our teams should have 15 foreign players in the squad.”
Viareggio refers to a youth competitions held in the area of the same name in Tuscany each year.
However, following his comments being published, the 68 year old sought to amend his remarks saying he had been misrepresented.
“I’ve been misinterpreted, you think I’m really racist? All I said was I saw a game featuring a team who fielded four coloured players,” he said.
“My history speaks for itself, I’ve always coached teams with great players from every colour and I’ve brought in a lot, whether to Milan or [Real] Madrid.
“I only wanted to underline that we are losing our national pride and identity.”