Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Carlo Tevecchio has been handed a six-month ban by European football governing body UEFA for a racial comment he made earlier this year.

Tavecchio became FIGC President in August but had used a racial comment during his election campaign for the position in July, referring to African players in the Italian top flight as ‘banana eaters’ while speaking on the issue of non-European Union players in the Serie A.

The 71-year old apologised afterwards for the comment and the FIGC decided against taking any further action, but UEFA opened an investigation into the matter and reached a decision to ban him.

As a result of the ban, Tavecchio will be unable to hold any positions with UEFA during the period of the ban and will also be unable to participate in the UEFA Congress which takes place in March 2015.

The Italian FA boss has also been tasked by UEFA to organise a special anti-racism event which would be ”aimed at increasing awareness and compliance with the principles of UEFA’s Resolution entitled European Football united against racism.”