Chiellini criticises Italian FA candidate over banana comments

MILAN — Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has joined the criticism of Italian football federation (FIGC) presidential candidate Carlo Tavecchio after the 71-year-old referred to African players as “banana eaters”. As the row continued to fester one week after the comments were made, Chiellini said that the position needed somebody with “decorum and personality” and that Tavecchio’s rival Demetrio Albertini, a former Italy midfielder, was the only suitable candidate. The election to replace Giancarlo Abete, who quit following Italy’s group stage exit at the World Cup, is due to take place on August 11. “I read his [Tavecchio’s] words the day after and they left me disconcerted,” Chiellini told reporters at a Juventus news conference on Sunday. “I asked... how Italian football could be heading towards this election and if there was any solution. I have nothing personal against Tavecchio but at the moment, the only adequate person for the role is Albertini,” said the 29-year-old.