The Italian Football Federation have added their name to a campaign against homophobia, which had seen Davide Moscardelli and Daniele Dessena abused online.
The Italian Football Federation have added their name to a campaign against homophobia, which had seen Davide Moscardelli and Daniele Dessena abused online.
Bologna’s Moscardelli has led the campaign’s initiative in Italy by wearing boots with rainbow coloured laces, but both he and Cagliari midfielder Dessena, who joined in last weekend, have reportedly received abuse through social media.
In response, the FIGC have offered their support to the campaign and it is now seen as likely that some members of the national team will wear coloured laces during next week’s friendly against Spain.
“The FIGC and national team come together…and adhere to the anti-homophobia campaign created by Paddy Power and re-launched on the occasion of Candido Day [named after the Gazzetta dello Sport’s former editor Candido Cavano],” began the FIGC’s statement on the matter.
“By joining the campaign against homophobia, represented with the rainbow laces, the FICG and Azzurri continue what has already been done before in relation to social responsibility through awareness campaigns against racism, violence against women, doping, illegal betting and numerous projects at the side of the most important national and international foundations.”
The statement also carried a quote from President Giancarlo Abete: “Through this choice, we want to reiterate the sensitivity and civil commitment of Italian football, particularly athletes and Coach who represent the Azzurra shirt, through concrete acts that observe the social values that sport should be about and in which we strongly believe in.”