THE PRESIDENT OF Italian football’s amateur leagues (LND) has denied reports he referred to female players as a “bunch of lesbians”.
Minutes of a March 5 meeting show Felice Belloli responding to a discussion regarding Italian Football Federation (FIGC) funding for female football by saying, “”Enough. You cannot always talk about giving money to this bunch of lesbians.”
But as a storm brews in the Italian media, Belloli has moved to issue an unequivocal denial of the quotes.
“It has to be proved that those quotes are mine,” he told ANSA.
“Everybody can keep the minutes and write whatever they want to. I deny those quotes, I never said that.”
FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio said if Belloli’s comments are proved true, “it would be a serious matter.”
Tavecchio, who is no stranger to controversy after racist comments landed him a six-month ban from Fifa last year, is quoted as condemning Belloli’s jibe as “hateful and unacceptable.”
A report of Belloli’s comments has been issued to the FIGC.
– First published 14.06
