February 20 – Italian football icon Fulvio Collovati has been suspended for three weeks by state broadcaster Rai for making sexist remarks on air.
The 1982 World Cup winner was forced to apologise after declaring on live tv that that women “can’t talk about tactics. When I hear them do so, my stomach turns….. because a woman doesn’t understand like a man.”
His remarks caused outrage across the country and in response Rai said it has suspended the former AC Milan, Inter and Roma defender, who won 50 caps for his country, from all TV and radio activity until March 9.
The 61-year-old received the support of his wife Caterina, also a TV presenter. “Tactics explained by a woman don’t convince me. When I presented football shows, I never had the nerve to explain the 4-4-2,” she tweeted.
But his remarks infuriated those involved at the top level of women’s football.
“I would gladly invite him to talk tactics, to see who knows them best. It’s a shame that it’s someone who has played football at the highest level who is saying these kind of things,” said Patrizia Panico, Italy’s record women’s goalscorer.
And Milena Bertolini, who is in charge of the Italy side that will take part at this year’s Women’s World Cup, spoke of a “primitive mindset”.
“I invite Collovati to watch some women’s matches at the top level. He will understand the world has changed,” she added.
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