Claudio Ranieri has always struck me as a daft individual. The Fleet Street press memorably labelled him “The Tinkerman” because of his penchant for needlessly rotating his squad during his days as Chelsea coach. But maybe something like “The Lunatic” is a more appropriate handle.
Surely there’s a few bats loose in the belfry when it comes to Ranieri.
How else can one comprehend his inexplicable remarks to Rai TV after Lazio beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday night?
“I did not like the entire direction of the match. I found the official was tough with us, on the field it seemed as if he was Chinese, as it was always yellow cards with us,” complained Ranieri.
The remark went largely unnoticed in Italy – the Italian press are probably used to the tottering Juventus coach putting his foot in his mouth – but in China, his ill-advised statement has caused a furore.
And rightly so.
What on earth was Ranieri trying to say? Several theories have been proffered, from Ranieri making a statement about corruption in Chinese football, to the supposedly card-happy nature of Chinese referees.
But a sceptic – and I’m one of them – might suggest that Ranieri was linking the colour of the cards dished out by referee Paolo Tagliavento to the perceived colour of Chinese skin.
What makes Ranieri’s remark all the more incredible is the fact that next season’s Italian Super Cup match will be played in Beijing.
If Juventus do go on to win the Coppa Italia, Ranieri has single-handedly managed to put his team offside with just about every Chinese ticket-holder that piles through the gates.
And this in an age where European clubs froth at the prospect of parting Asian fans from their hard-earned cash.
The problem with Ranieri’s remark is not that it was made by a dim-witted fool, but rather that it’s tacitly accepted by the Italian football community.
Why wouldn’t it be? Just this week Roma fans were fined for directing racist chants towards Inter striker Mario Balotelli – and Balotelli is an Italian U-21 international!
Former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira has complained bitterly about racism in Serie A.
“Being a black player in Italy is difficult compared to other countries because you always receive abuse,” said Vieira in December last year. “I have been in Italy for four years and fans have always given me trouble.”
In an infamous case in 2005, ex-Messina defender Marco Zoro walked from the pitch with ball in hand after receiving incessant racist abuse from travelling Inter fans.
And the problem is not just confined to Italy.
In 2004, Spanish coach Luis Aragonés appeared unperturbed when he was caught on camera referring to Thierry Henry as a “black shit.”
Bemused by the subsequent outcry, Aragonés went on to win Euro 2008 with his native Spain.
At the U-21 European Championships in 2007, England’s Justin Hoyte and Nedum Onuoha were not only racially abused by Serbian fans, but allegedly by Serbian players as well.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the former Yugoslav republics and much of eastern Europe remain hotbeds of xenophobia.
It would be interesting to note what Dinamo Moscow midfielder Luke Wilkshire makes of the trip across town to face Spartak.
Fans at the Luzhniki Stadium routinely unfurl racist banners directed at their own players.
Eastern European expert Johnathan Wilson has argued that racism involving eastern European teams often prompts unhelpful sanctimony from those in the west.
Certainly socio-economic factors should be taken into account when it comes to the complex issue of racism in sport.
But Claudio Ranieri has no excuse.
He’s a well-paid, well-travelled individual in charge of a cosmopolitan group of young men.
He should know better than to make racially-based remarks – no matter how flippant or innocent their intention.
It’s ironic that just a night after Ranieri was making his harebrained comment, UEFA was launching yet another anti-racist initiative.
While the suggestion has been made that Serie A games be halted in the case of racist chanting, there’s no word yet on what the governing body will do the next time Claudio Ranieri decides to open his mouth.
david boots
Guest
It isnt on really is it? Stupid, weird or just plain crazy - he should be censored.
David V.
Guest
Napoli's president made some very nasty remarks about English women, and I assure you if a Brit said the same thing about another country's women they'd most likely be open to racial vilification charges. One rules for one group and another for the rest...
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
The Answer - I'm not sure where I suggested that Claudio Ranieri has "no idea about the game" but my description of Ranieri as a "fool" and a "lunatic" was based on comments that seemed to disparage a group of people based on their race or ethnicity. Nothing to do with football. As for why Chinese fans will still pile through the gates at the Italian Super Cup, I'd like to know when fans have turned away en masse because of statements made by a coach? If that was a common practice, then surely 20,000+ fans wouldn't have turned out to see Pim Verbeek's A-League-based Socceroos in Canberra last night? Anyway, Ranieri has been back-tracking furiously in the wake of several critical headlines in China. His latest comment was, "Juventus played in China in the past, and I know the performance of Chinese referees. They are strict and respect the rules of FIFA. They blow their whistles for all fouls. Recently, the referees in Serie A have tended to follow the example set by the English Premier League and blow for fouls less and less." But getting back to your response, The Answer - if Claudio Ranieri is as wise and experienced as you imply, then surely he should know better than to make a statement that could easily be interpreted as racist.
Sam
Guest
The Answer It seems by your last statemet that you accept racism 'because it is merely something people do'. Yes, I thought so...
midfield general
Guest
I agree with Answer, you have to be careful with sweeping generalizations. All societies are complex melting pots of attitudes and opinions. But as far as soccer is concerned, Australian fans are more highly evolved. it warmed my heart to see Jonas Salley receiving a standing ovation from Adelaide fans (you're still a bunch of pissants). Different story in AFL, I've been to Collingwood games where I couldn't believe what I was hearing, most malicious racial abuse shouted out to Aboriginal players.
The Answer
Guest
Is that the Italian player Di Canio? Sadly for you Sam, I watch plenty of European football, perhaps I'm more developed to be able to appreciate more codes of football. Yes, there have been incidents but to claim they are "all" like that is to fall into the same racist mindset of those you commit the acts. It also means people don't look at fixing the problem because it is merely something "they all do". It is like saying all Australian football fans are hooligans because of the actions of a few Sydney FC or Victory fans or before them Sydney United and Bonnyrigg White Eagles fans.
Sam
Guest
The Answer Stick to rugby champ. If you have seen what Italian and Spanish supporters have done over the past few years maybe you would see my point of view. Even an Italian player by the name of Di Cannio. If you approve of Ranieri's comments then just come out and say so. I have European background so I know the attitudes of many Europeans. You really are a fool!
The Answer
Guest
I love the way people attack people for using a generalisation by using sweeping statements themselves, "lunatic", "bumbling fool". He has been employed by some of the biggest clubs in the world, you are writing on a blog based in Australia. I think I know who has more of an idea about the game. Sam, you say "The Italians and Spanish to me have had a very bad attitude over the past few years to black Africans. I think it is a supremacy thing, and perhaps the same applies here with the Chinese situation. After meeting many Chinese people in the last few years, I have found them to be very courteous and polite people." I too have met many Spanish and Italian people who have been polite and courteous, probably so courteous they would dismiss your generalisation that they all have a problem with black Africans as merely the mumblings of an incredibly naive person who has probably lived a very sheltered life. This isn't the first time you have made such comments about the Spanish and Italians, the last time it was they were all cheats, now they are all racists as well. Finally Mike, if the Chinese are so put off by Raineri's comments why are they still piling through the gates at the Super Cup? Probably they don't care. It isn't like they aren't prone to a bit of racism themselves.......
Grant
Guest
Great article, Mike. Racism is definitely a sore that needs to be treated (feel free to use that sometime). Was very interesting to read about the Spartak Moscow fans producing banners against their own players. Great minds at work there... And Dave, maybe it is a case of the illegal immigration of these countries playing a part. Or maybe it's just the immigration that people don't like, which in turn makes it plain old Xenophobia. The biggest problem is that such a prominent figure can come out and say something so offensive, so publicly and not show any remorse.
Dave
Guest
Mike Always had great respect for Ranieri after the way he conducted himself in response to the shameless treatment he received from Chelski, so disappointing to hear of this incident. Certainly hope its a one off and he makes an apology. As has been said above already as the world game football will reflect and mirror the full range of societal values. Unfortunately some of them are quite unpleasant but at least FIFA seem to be making significant efforts to try and eradicate the problem. The issues in Italy, Spain and other southern Euro countries may well be linked to the increased level of so called 'illegal' immigration from Northern Africa
Sam
Guest
The Italians and Spanish to me have had a very bad attitude over the past few years to black Africans. I think it is a supremacy thing, and perhaps the same applies here with the Chinese situation. After meeting many Chinese people in the last few years, I have found them to be very courteous and polite people. I think in this case it is Ranieri's attitude which stinks. It is something which doesn't need to be said and will only cause problems down the track.
midfield general
Guest
Unfortunately football sometimes holds up a mirror to the society. We can take solace in what happened in UK over the last thirty years. In 70's and 80's black players used to have bananas thrown at them along with verbal abuse, but evolution of multicultural society in UK has totally eradicated this poison, at least in football grounds. Groups like National Front has been relegated to the lunatic fringe in UK. Don't forget there was an ugly war in the Balkans not too long ago and my theoy is that these societies are yet to recover from it, and fascism is a manifestation of that. As for Spain and Italy, I don't really know, but maybe there has always been an ultra right wing element in these societies - remember di Canio's Nazi salute and `ultras' are well known presence in football stadiums.
Robbos
Guest
Of Course, this does not make it right.
Robbos
Guest
I work with a lot of Chinese people & most are lovely people but they are very racist people as well, calling most Anglos 'Ghost people', because of the colour of Anglos. So i don't think the Chinese are up in arms.
David V.
Guest
Racism is rife in football alright, only that some get away with it far more than others. And the English, more often than not, can be target of abuse from Italians, French, etc without the slightest hint of censure.
True Tah
Guest
These countries where racism is rampart also happen to be monocultural backwaters, especially those in Eastern Europe, and the East Europeans would have to be amongst the most racist people in the world, they probably have minimal interaction with say African people. That futbol is the only major sport in these places would provide an extension for this fear of people with dark skin. Australia's past record may not be stellar in race relations, but it sure as hell is lot more advanced than plenty of these supposebly superior European nations. An African bloke can play in Australia without having crowds chanting monkey noises.
Lazza
Guest
There's racism in World Football because there's racism in the World. Let's not get too precious, Cricket had it's fair share in this country and it wasn't that long ago that I'd go and watch an AFL game and hear the most disgusting comments directed against aboriginal players. Some countries are a few years ahead in stamping it out, the rest will have to follow or face the consequences.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
The irony is that the Chinese absolutley adore Italian football - they themselves are in the best position to be accepting of such behaviour or not.
Slippery Jim
Guest
Marlon, Mourinho is a gifted psychologist. He always uses this tactic to put the pressure and attention on himself to take it away from his players. And he is called the Special One for a reason. His record speaks for itself, and includes being named the world's best football manager by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) for both the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons.
Marlon
Guest
Barry, when Maurinho has won as much as Fabio Capello, Marcello Lippi, Ferguson, Hiddink, Trapattoni and Carlo Ancelotti then he can be arrogant. Until that day he should get back in his corner. Whilst Maurinho has not as yet made racist comments, hit tantrum on monday shows a lack of intelligence, a complete disrespect for his fellow coaches and an arrogance that can be costly. Just ask Roberto Mancini what arrogance and over confidence in ones role can lead to.