LGBT Italy Says Sarri’s Homophobic Slur is an Everyday Occurrence in Football
| Coach Maurizio Sari |
| Inter Coach Roberto Mancini called Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri “a racist and homophobe who should be drummed out of football.” |
Maurizio Sarri’s alleged homophobic comments have sparked debate between two of Italy’s biggest gay rights organizations.
The issue emerged after a touchline row during Napoli’s 2-0 Coppa Italia defeat to Inter last night and Roberto Mancini accused Sarri of using homophobic slurs.
“We’ve been appealing to the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) for months to impose severe sanctions on homophobic insults that occur on football pitches and beyond,” said Antonello Sannino, delegate of the Arcigay association.
“It is truly absurd to see some very strong homophobic insults passed off as simple banter. This is one of the reasons why many young people abandon football.
“I want to point out I am not in any way pointing the finger at Sarri, because it would be futile. What I want to make clear is that this type of insult happens on the pitch every single day at all levels without anyone noticing.
“I want to make an important appeal to Sarri, inviting him to our march for LGBT rights on Saturday. I’d also be happy to meet Sarri face to face.
“I just hope this affair can help everyone move something forward. This is an important ‘assist’ to provide genuine change.”
The first openly gay Mayor in the Campania region, Giorgio Zinno of San Giorgio a Cremano, also urged a dialogue.
“Obviously Sarri’s words are to be stigmatised, because insults should not be allowed in football or in sport. Having said that, football pitches are still venues where insults are traded and set a poor example.
“I wouldn’t call the Napoli Coach homophobic. In a moment of rage he brought out his baser instincts and vented his frustration in a bad way. It’s also true this story has brought out a lot of false defenders of gay rights who wouldn’t care less in everyday life.
“If this row sparked people to genuinely take an interest in gay rights, then I’d welcome it, but instead I fear they will go back to watching football and shouting at the opposition rather than caring for others.
“It’s also fair to say I was at the stadium and the words you hear bandied about are terrible. Let’s be scandalised by all insults of that nature and not try to make a storm in a teacup.”
Another gay rights association, Gay Center, called for a lengthy ban for Sarri.
“Sarri already made homophobic comments two years ago,” declared spokesman Fabrizio Marrazzo.
“As a Neapolitan and Napoli fan, I am ashamed of Sarri’s words and we demand an exemplary punishment. We hope football can launch a genuine campaign against homophobia, as such a popular sport cannot allow for violent messages.”
from football-italia.net
The issue emerged after a touchline row during Napoli’s 2-0 Coppa Italia defeat to Inter last night and Roberto Mancini accused Sarri of using homophobic slurs.
“We’ve been appealing to the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) for months to impose severe sanctions on homophobic insults that occur on football pitches and beyond,” said Antonello Sannino, delegate of the Arcigay association.
“It is truly absurd to see some very strong homophobic insults passed off as simple banter. This is one of the reasons why many young people abandon football.
“I want to point out I am not in any way pointing the finger at Sarri, because it would be futile. What I want to make clear is that this type of insult happens on the pitch every single day at all levels without anyone noticing.
“I want to make an important appeal to Sarri, inviting him to our march for LGBT rights on Saturday. I’d also be happy to meet Sarri face to face.
“I just hope this affair can help everyone move something forward. This is an important ‘assist’ to provide genuine change.”
The first openly gay Mayor in the Campania region, Giorgio Zinno of San Giorgio a Cremano, also urged a dialogue.
“Obviously Sarri’s words are to be stigmatised, because insults should not be allowed in football or in sport. Having said that, football pitches are still venues where insults are traded and set a poor example.
“I wouldn’t call the Napoli Coach homophobic. In a moment of rage he brought out his baser instincts and vented his frustration in a bad way. It’s also true this story has brought out a lot of false defenders of gay rights who wouldn’t care less in everyday life.
“If this row sparked people to genuinely take an interest in gay rights, then I’d welcome it, but instead I fear they will go back to watching football and shouting at the opposition rather than caring for others.
“It’s also fair to say I was at the stadium and the words you hear bandied about are terrible. Let’s be scandalised by all insults of that nature and not try to make a storm in a teacup.”
Another gay rights association, Gay Center, called for a lengthy ban for Sarri.
“Sarri already made homophobic comments two years ago,” declared spokesman Fabrizio Marrazzo.
“As a Neapolitan and Napoli fan, I am ashamed of Sarri’s words and we demand an exemplary punishment. We hope football can launch a genuine campaign against homophobia, as such a popular sport cannot allow for violent messages.”
Yesterday: Inter Coach Roberto Mancini called Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri “a racist and homophobe who should be drummed out of football.”
The pair clashed on the touchline after Adem Ljajic scored the second goal in Inter’s 2-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final win at the Stadio San Paolo.Mancini was sent off, but when he arrived to speak to Rai Sport after the game, he was livid.
“Sarri is a racist and men like him should be drummed out of football. I got up to ask the fourth official why there were five minutes of added time.
“Sarri then got up and shouted ‘p**f’ and ‘f****t’ at me. I would be proud to be that if he is what’s considered a man.
“I am not remotely interested in talking about the game. A 60-year-old man who acts like this is shameful. You can argue, but this is shameful.
“I went to find him in the locker room and he apologised, but I want him to be ashamed of what he said. In England someone like him wouldn’t even be allowed to set foot on the touchline.”
from football-italia.net
The Guardian:
The Internazionale manager, Roberto Mancini, became embroiled in a furious spat with his Napoli counterpart during the Italian Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night, which the Milan side won 2-0 after goals from Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic.
However, the result was quickly forgotten afterwards as a clearly shaken and furious Mancini told Rai TV about the exchange he had with the Napoli manager on the touchline.
Roberto Mancini
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“The confrontation on the touchline? You have to ask Sarri about that, he is a racist. People like him do not belong in football. He used racist words. I stood up to ask about the five minutes being added on and Sarri shouted ‘poof’ and ‘faggot’ at me. I would be proud to be that if he is what’s considered a man.”
“People like him should not be in football. He is 60 years old. The fourth official heard but didn’t say anything. He came to see me in the changing room to apologise but he should really be ashamed of himself.”
Mancini was sent off towards the end of the game for remonstrating with the Napoli bench. Mancini did not see the second goal as he became involved in the heated exchange with the fourth official and then Sarri, and was ordered from the touchline.
The row began after the fourth official mistakenly indicated nine minutes of added time before changing his mind and showing five instead.
All Sarri had to say of the incident was “that he could not remember” what he said to Mancini and that “what is said on the pitch should stay on the pitch”.
Sarri is no stranger to controversy. Last year while still in charge of Empoli, he was fined €5,000 after a match against Varese after making a rude gesture towards fans but escaped punishment for making similar comments.
“Football has become a sport for fags,” said Sarri. “We suffered twice as many fouls, but we had more yellow cards. It’s a contact sport in Italy and but the whistle is blown a lot more than in England because of the interpretation by homosexuals.”
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