Gattuso: Italy is not a racist country

Jan 9, 2013 6:45:00 PM

The Champions League winner has denied that the country is inherently racist and said that the incident involving Kevin-Prince Boateng at Pro Patria was down to just "four boys"

Gennaro Gattuso has denied that Italy has a problem with racism in football.

Milan playmaker Kevin-Prince Boateng walked off the pitch in a friendly match against Pro Patria last week after being subjected to racial taunting from sections of the home crowd.

But former Milan midfielder, Gattuso, has said that the problem is not as widespread as it is being portrayed and believes the Pro Patria incident was down to the action of just a handful of young men.

“The case of racism in Busto Arsizio [where Pro Patria play], [it was] four boys [who were responsible],” he told Sky Sport 24.

“Italy is not a racist country. I know Busto Arsizio, there are many foreigners who live there.

“I remember for example the banana thrown at Roberto Carlos in Russia, I do not think the racism is that widespread in Italian stadiums.”

The 35-year-old now plays for Swiss side Sion but still keeps his eye on Italian football, and believes that Mario Balotelli could still move to his old club, despite president Silvio Berlusconi calling the Manchester City man a “bad apple”.

“Mario is an incredible player who could do very well at Milan. The fight with [City manager Roberto] Mancini - they Should grow up and put aside their differences.”