FIFA has asked the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to investigate comments made by Carlo Tavecchio, the favorite to become its next president, in which he alluded to African players as "banana eaters".

"Media reports concerning alleged racist comments by one of the presidential candidates for the Italian FA have alerted FIFA's task force against racism and discrimination and its chairman Jeffrey Webb," FIFA said in a statement on Monday.

"As such, FIFA has written a letter to the Italian FA asking it to take the appropriate steps to investigate and decide on this matter and report to FIFA."

FIGC vice-president Tavecchio has received a wave of criticism for his comments, which came at the summer assembly of Italy's amateur leagues.

He suggested Italy should replicate England's stringent requirements for non-EU players.

"In England, they identify the players coming in and, if they are professional, they are allowed to play," said 71-year-old Tavecchio.

"Here, instead, we get 'Opti Poba' (a fictitious name), who previously ate bananas and then suddenly becomes a first team player with Lazio.

"That's how it is here. In England, you need to demonstrate what you have on your CV and your pedigree."

Tavecchio has apologized twice for his remarks but said on Monday he will not end his candidacy for the FIGC presidency.

"I've got the support of the leagues and I'm carrying on with my campaign for the presidency of the FIGC," he told Italian news agency ANSA.

Tavecchio is hot favorite to beat former AC Milan and Italy midfielder Demetrio Albertini for the top job in a vote on Aug 11.

The pair are vying for the position left vacant by Giancarlo Abete, who stepped down immediately after Italy's embarrassing early exit from the World Cup in Brazil.

On Sunday, the first signs of a crack in the strong support for Tavecchio from Serie A and B clubs came from Fiorentina, which said he should step aside.

"Staying true to its civic and ethical values, Fiorentina, in light of the recent comments made by Tavecchio, no longer considers his candidacy for the presidency of the FIGC sustainable," the club announced in a statement.

The new owner of Samp-doria, Massimo Ferrero, also said Serie A owners should get together to discuss the situation.

"Club owners need to hold a meeting as soon as possible to assess our position (on Tavecchio's FIGC candidacy)," he said.

(China Daily 07/30/2014 page23)