Italian player faces 10 match ban for racism

Gaetano Iannini (L)

According to Eurosport, an Italian football player, Gaetano Iannini, has been charged with a 10 match ban by the disciplinary board of Serie A for racial discrimination against a player in the first half of an Italian Cup first round match between Matera and Sudtirol on Sunday.

The League said : “Iannini will be suspended for 10 matches after making a racially discriminatory comment against an opponent in the 18th minute of the first half.”

Lannini, who plays as a midfielder for Matera, was initially given a red card in the first half of an Italian Cup match and was later given a 10 match suspension in the first use of new anti-discrimination rules.

Last month, AC Milan midfielder Kevin Constant fired a ball into the bases and walked off the pitch after an alleged racist chanting by the fans, Italy’s football federation (FIGC) is looking into the matter. A similar incident was reported involving Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.

FIFA and European soccer’s governing body UEFA have approved new measures to encounter racism and have pledged to take a tougher stand on discrimination.