FIGC: "It wouldn't surprise me at all if Carlo Tavecchio were to resign" (Giovanni Malago, CONI)

"It wouldn't surprise me at all if the new president [Carlo Tavecchio] were to take a step back and resign," said Giovanni Malago, president of CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) on 21/08/2014.

Carlo Tavecchio was elected to the presidency of the FIGC (Federazione Italiano Giuoco di Calcio, the Italian Football Federation) on 11/08/2014. During his campaign, he had compared African footballers to "banana eaters" during a speech to the assembly of the Italian Amateur Football League, of which he was the president, on 25/07/2014.

A disciplinary investigation into the remarks was opened by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) on 20/08/2014.

"I expected UEFA'S investigation; I had received signals in this direction. It would not surprise me if FIFA also gets involved," said Malago. "I spoke with Tavecchio; he is preparing his defence and seems calm. He told me before the election that if he could not work for the good of football, he would resign. If these events affect his ability to act, he will leave."

• FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) asked…