Kamikaze Albertini: "I'll rescind my candidacy if Tavecchio does the same"

Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC, the Italian footballing federation) vice president Demetrio Albertini tweeted a statement promising to rescind his candidacy for the presidency of FIGC, should his rival, Carlo Tavecchio, do the same. The latter is stonewalling calls from 9 Serie A clubs asking him to rescind his candidacy.



“Not Long Ago, Optí Poba who plays for Lazio was Eating Bananas”

Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (LND, Italian Amateur league) president Tavecchio made waves in Italian and international media  when he pointed to “banana eating Africans” as one of the culprits in Italian football’s decay. The statement would automatically rule out any candidate in any race, but not Tavecchio.

The unfortunate statement catapulted the anti-Tavecchio sentiment into a movement that began with the non-endorsement of the 71 year old by Juventus and Roma. The two league leaders were joined by 7 other Serie A clubs, who have asked him to rescind his candidacy on the account of marked division in the Italian footballing movement on his prospective leadership in such a delicate moment.

Tavecchio, however, is unmoved. His response has been that he has the support required to go forward (courtesy of the clubs that make up Italy’s lower footballing divisions), and therefore will not step down.

Enter Demetrio Albertini. The former Milan metronome midfielder, vicepresident of the FIGC since 2006, is the sole opponent to Tavecchio in this election, enjoying the support of some on account of NOT being Tavecchio. However, simply being Tavecchio’s opponent is not good enough for the 9 “rebel” clubs, who have asked Albertini – just as they have with Tavecchio – to step down, as they regard both inadequate for Italy’s top job.



Albertini’s Response

“I don’t see why I should be the one to step down, but if in the interest of Italian football, Tavecchio – whom with his statements has created this fracture – were to rescind his candidacy, I would be prepared to do the same in order to keep united the Italian footballing world which is in need of urgent reform and dialogue”, thunders Albertini on a statement he tweets as a picture.

Albertini then confirms his commitment should Tavecchio not step down, “If instead Tavecchio were to decide to continue on his path toward an election it would mean that he wants to fulfill the interests of one part of Italian football. In case – which I do no hope for – this eventuality is realized I ask of those who seek a shared solution, to support me at the ballot box”.

“It’s important to repeat that the same Tavecchio wished to be ‘the people’s candidate’, but in fact he no longer is, and his irreverent behaviour is exacerbating the fracture“.



The presidential election will take place at the next federal council, on August 11.