The deputy vice-president of the Italian Football Federation has sparked outrage in Italy after he  called african players “banana eaters” in a speech where he tried to give his reasons for the Italian league to cut the influx of foreign players into the league on Friday.

Carlo Tavecchio, who is still favourite to become the next Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president, tried to justify his ideas by using England and the Premier League as the example to follow.

“In England, they identify the players coming in and, if they are professional, they are allowed to play,” Tavecchio said at the summer assembly of Italy’s amateur leagues (LND).