UEFA Suspends Italian FA President Carlo Tavecchio for Racist Remark
Carlo Tavecchio, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), has been suspended by UEFA for six months from all official duties following racist comments made earlier this year.
The controversy stems from a statement Tavecchio made during a public speech, where he said:
“Opti Poba arrived here and before he ate bananas, today he plays for Lazio Rome.”
The remark, widely interpreted as targeting Paul Pogba (then of Juventus), was condemned across Europe for its racist tone. UEFA’s disciplinary body deemed the comment a violation of its anti-discrimination regulations.
Alongside the suspension, UEFA has ordered Tavecchio to organize an event in Italy aimed at promoting awareness and adherence to anti-racism principles in football.
Tavecchio’s suspension bars him from representing the Italian FA in any UEFA-related activities until the end of the sanction. However, it does not affect his domestic role as FIGC president — a position he controversially retained even after the incident.
