United Nations Committee 'Raise Red Flag' Over Racism In Italian Football
NDTV
The United Nations committee responsible for combating racism "raised a red flag" over Italian football in its latest findings published on Thursday.
The United Nations committee responsible for combating racism "raised a red flag" over Italian football in its latest findings published on Thursday. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) raised concerns about economic or social issues in six countries including Croatia, Namibia, Senegal, Turkmenistan and Uruguay as well as Italy, where it singled out football. Racist abuse aimed at players of African descent, or from Eastern Europe, in Serie A attracted international attention in April with a one-match ban for Romelu Lukaku.
The striker received a second yellow card for celebrating a late equaliser for Inter Milan in an Italian Cup semi-final by turning to Juventus fans, who had been abusing him racially, and holding a finger to his lips.
After his initial one-match ban sparked an angry backlash, Italian football authorities pardoned the Belgian.
CERD said in its statement that as far as Italy was concerned it "was alarmed by politicians and high-level government officials using hate speech and racist political discourse against ethnic minorities particularly Roma, Sinti and Camminanti, Africans and people of African descent."
"The Committee also raised a red flag at racist acts during sports events, including physical and verbal attacks against athletes of African descent," the statement continued.
