Italian football has 'no dignity, there are too many black players': Sacchi

Racism in Italian football has once again reared its ugly head with iconic former Azzurri coach Arrigo Sacchi causing a storm by claiming there are “too many black players” in the country.

“I'm certainly not racist and my history as a coach proves that, starting from [Frank] Rijkaard,' Sacchi is quoted as saying in Tuttosport, as per the Daily Mail.

“But looking at the Viareggio tournament [a global youth tournament held annually in Italy] I feel like saying that there are too many black players, even in the youth teams.

“Italy has no dignity, no pride. It's not possible that our teams should have 15 foreign players in the squad,” said the 68 year-old.

The former AC Milan boss, whose views are held in very high regard in Italian football, is widely credited with bringing “Total Football” to Serie A, and made the comments at a ceremony for the Maestrelli prizes in Pistoia.

Sacchi's last role in the game came as director of football at Real Madrid 10 years ago.