In movies, especially cartoons, the symbolism of a banana peel is that of manifest bad luck, usually expressed in an openly exaggerated way, to cause laughter and elation. In football bananas have often been the symbols of racism, or better, the instrument through which some primordial idiots have let the world know about their existence: the episodes of bananas thrown to black players from the stands are numerous already.

In Italian football, it might be both, though the bad luck that could possibly strike Carlo Tavecchio- favorite candidate for the FIGC presidency- after his “unfortunate” words on African players who go from “eating bananas to playing for Lazio”, in an attempt to explain the difference between Serie A and Premier League on work permits for non-Eu players, will probably make the fortunes of the Federation and of the whole movement.

But let’s take a step back. After the disastrous campaign in Brazil, both Prandelli and Abete- coach and federal president- resigned within minutes of the elimination. The fans, the press, every football pundit on the boot (that is roughly 60 millions) called for a revolution: Italy needed new rules, new men, new ideas. Even we proposed a solution.

The three-four influential men that preside over the control room (Galliani and Lotito above all) decided that it was time to change. This is why they came up with Carlo Tavecchio, President of the National Amateur League and Vice-President of the FIGC since 2007 (executive VP since 2009). Wait, has he covered a top position for 7 years in the Federation that he’s supposed to revolutionize? Well, he was probably stuck in an old system, in which he couldn’t impose his futuristic vision and ideas. Oh, he’s 71?! Well, he’s probably young inside, and he must have proven his qualities in his long career full of accolades and…convictions?! Was he really convicted five times from 1971 to 1998 mainly for tax-related issues?! Yes…

The truth is Tavecchio represents no change at all. What’s worse is that this is exactly why he’s been chosen: for the sake of continuity, as if Italy’s current model were bearing fruits. Once again in Italian football the interests of a few, influential people, may prevail over collective interests. This mentality could have worked a few years ago, when money and big names on billboards would cover up all sorts of mismanagement. But it doesn’t work now. If Italy misses this train, who knows when the next will stop?

And this is where the banana peel enters the scene. Tavecchio, despite everything we just wrote, was the clear favorite for the role. And this is not just because Italy is change-averse, but because of the crooked voting system. Seven actors vote in the election, each with a different share of voting power:

-          Serie A (20 clubs) 12%

-          Serie B (22 clubs) 5%

-          Lega Pro (60 clubs) 17%

-          Amateur League (90 clubs) 34%

-          Players’ Association 20%

-          Trainers’ Association 10%

-          Referees 2%

In order to win, the candidate must receive 75% of the votes in the first round. Should nobody reach such number, 66% will suffice (round 2). Finally, if nobody reaches 66%, a simple majority of 51% will be enough.

Carlo Tavecchio, with just the backing up of “his” Amateur League and of the Lega Pro, reaches 51%. And right now he’s still backed up by Serie B and Serie A, even though he’s been losing consensus lately (Roma and Juve never supported him, and now more teams are changing their mind).

With this situation, only an incredibly unlucky event could hinder his victory. And that’s exactly what happened last Friday, when in front of the Amateur League assembly he felt so comfortable and confident, that he pronounced those words for which he’s being condemned even by FIFA, who just requested the FIGC to investigate the issue.

The debate in the past three days has been on whether Carlo Tavecchio is a racist or not. In fact, Maurizio Zamparini, the passionate president of Palermo, said that he has known Tavecchio for 30 years, and that “he’s an honest man, not a racist.”

In my view, though, this isn’t the point. I actually believe that he isn’t a racist (though his shameful words were extremely racist). He probably didn’t even realize. But for a man who is supposed to hold on his shoulders the weight of a whole football system in such a time, slipping on such an avoidable mistake is unforgivable. It’s a clear demonstration of lack of preparation and even stupidity.

Managers, presidents especially, should lead by example. Public figures must value and weigh every single word they say. How is he supposed to enforce measures against fans who shout racist chants? With what authority? The man is simply not fit for the job. He’s a dinosaur, representing the prehistory of football.

Is it just a coincidence that the two most successful clubs in terms of managerial turnaround- i.e. Roma and Juventus- are the ones that most ferociously opposed such candidacy? These two clubs are a few years ahead of everyone else in Italy because they ran the risk of change, and the others should follow them rather than going opposite ways.

The only reason why we’re having a debate on the elections of the FIGC president is because Carlo Tavecchio attempted a political suicide. This is scary because it means that Italian football would have had him as a president had he not tripped over that banana. But he did, so we have the unique chance of getting rid of him and his way of managing things once and for all. If we waste it, we’ll only get what we deserve.

On a final note, there’s a reason why I never mentioned his rival: Demetrio Albertini. He’s a former champion of Milan and Italy, he’s won almost everything there is to win, he was born in ’71 (rather than being 71), he’s respectable and well known internationally. However he too was VP of the FIGC since 2006, so he too is responsible for this mess, and most of all he showed himself weak in the last few days, those in which he should have bitten his opponent to death (instead he did nothing). The only reason- other than age- that makes him a better candidate to my eyes is that the system is against him, like crazy anti-bodies fighting a new cure. If people like Lotito, Galliani, Carraro, Preziosi don’t want him, I want him. I’m afraid it still wouldn’t be enough to heal our beloved Calcio, but it definitely is the only starting point.

Sign the petition askingTavecchio to withdraw his candidacy