An Italian sports pundit, Luciano Passirani, serving suspension after he made a racist remark on air about Inter striker Romelu Lukaku has denied he is a racist.
The 80-year-old who was suspended for his comments about the Lukaku reveals that he is from a multicultural background.
Speaking on the Qui Studio a Voi Stadio show, Passirani started off by saying: "I don't see any other player in Italy now like Lukaku. [...] I really like him," before adding, "the only way to stop him is to say, 'Here are 10 bananas that you can eat'."
This statement shared on social media of the incident has now led to Passirani being banned from appearing on the show.
Mr Passirani is 80 years old and to compliment Lukaku he used a metaphor that turned out to be racist," said programme director Fabio Ravezzani.
Passirani is now making attempts to set the record straight and says he would want the opportunity to apologise in person to the Romelu.