adminKevin-Prince Boateng last week responded to racist chants by a small group of fans during a friendly against fourth division side Pro Patria by storming off the pitch.
He was followed by his teammates, prompting a global outpouring of applause for the German-born Ghanaian international’s stance against racist supporters.
Sepp Blatter, the president of world football’s governing body Fifa, hit out at Boateng’s decision to force the suspension of last week’s friendly, setting him at odds with AC Milan owner-president, Italy’s former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Both Fifa and Uefa have previously warned against players walking off the pitch in protest, and Blatter said: “Walk off? No. I don’t think that is the solution.”
Cancellieri said Boateng’s stance was a “nice gesture” but told Radio 24 yesterday that a “more comprehensive strategy” needed to be put in place to avoid games being decided by “a minority of racists”.
“This episode drew attention to a phenomenon which is unfortunately widespread and, as such, we have to be more serious about dealing with it,” Cancellieri said. — AFP.
Online Reporter