Tavecchio is one of two candidates running for the position of FIGC President, alongside Demetrio Albertini, but has found himself the target of much criticism after he allegedly referred to African players as "banana eaters".

Speaking at a summer assembly of Italy's amateur leagues, the 71-year-old is reported to have made the comment when using a fictional example of a player to try to make a point about the number of foreign players in the Italian leagues.

"England identifies the players coming in and, if they are professional, they are allowed to play," he reportedly said.

"Here, on the other hand, let's say there's 'Opti Poba', who has come here, who previously was eating bananas and now is a first-team player for Lazio.

"In England he has to demonstrate his CV and his pedigree."

Despite later apologising, the Italian has hit back at the critics, saying that he believes it to be worse than that faced by John F Kennedy's assassin.

"John Kennedy's assassin didn't have to suffer what I have suffered over the last few days," Tavecchio said.

"And to think that these last few days mark 30 years since I started my work in Africa, where I have helped to build and open a hospital and where I have sponsored three children."

Giorgio Chiellini is the latest critic of Carlo Tavecchio following his alleged racist remark ©Getty Images



One such critic is Italy and Juventus defender Chiellini, who has said Italian football needs someone with "decorum and personality to perform certain roles", before backing Tacecchio's election rival Albertino for the top position in Italian football.

"I read his [Tavecchio's] words the day after and they left me disconcerted," Chiellini told a Juventus news conference.

"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.

"We mustn't let Italian football embarrass itself again.

"The national team is bigger than Tavecchio but we must avoid having a certain type of figure for these roles.

"We need a person with a certain decorum and personality to perform certain roles."

Football's world governing body has also called for an investigation into the Italian's comments, stating on its website that his has written to the FIGC asking it to take the "appropriate steps to investigate and decide on this matter and report to FIFA".

Tavecchio, who initially had the support of all Serie A clubs except Juventus and AS Roma, has seen his backing drop since the incident, although many clubs, including AC Milan, still support him.

The vote for FIGC's new President, following the resignation of Giancarlo Abete who stepped down immediately after Italy's embarrassing early exit from the World Cup finals in Brazil, will be held on August 11.

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