Former Tottenham Hotspur defender resigns after alleged racist gesture
Former Tottenham defender Mauricio Taricco is at the centre of a huge storm for an alleged racist gesture, and he has decided to leave his coaching role as a result.
Taricco arrived at Tottenham Hotspur in 1998 and spent four years at White Hart Lane, making a total of 130 appearances for the Lilywhites.
The left-back, who also had spells with Ipswich Town and West Ham United in England, went into coaching after hanging up his boots, having served as the assistant coach at Sunderland, AEK Athens and Real Betis.
He currently works under former Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet at South Korean side Jeonbuk Motors, where he finds himself at the centre of a major storm.
Former Tottenham defender Mauricio Taricco resigns after an alleged racist gesture
Tarrico was hit with a fine and handed a five-match ban for making an alleged racist gesture in a match against Daejeon Hana Citizen on November 8.
The former Spurs left-back was having an argument with the referee over a penalty appeal and reportedly shouted “racista” (the Spanish word for racist) at the referee before making a slanted-eye gesture.
The 52-year-old has now announced that he will resign from his role for being deemed a racist by the South Korean football authorities, insisting that his gesture was misunderstood.
Tarrico’s statement reads (via The Sun): “I have worked with many people in many countries and have lived and socialised with them without any problems related to their culture or race, and I have considered this a blessing.
“However, I have now been branded a racist by ‘self-proclaimed’ authorities due to a single misunderstanding where the context, cultural expressions, and meanings of all situations I continuously explained were ignored.
“My life, regardless of nationality and race, must continue in a place where there is safety, respect, peace, and equality before the law as a football person, so with a heavy heart, I have decided to leave this place after the end of this season.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the club and players with whom I could share success and history, and I am truly grateful to the fans who have given me unwavering support. I will not forget you.”
Jeonbuk Motors will appeal the decision against Tarrico
According to previous reports, Tarrico claimed his gesture was to indicate that the referee had not directly observed a handball, but the K-League rejected this explanation.
The Sun now reveal that Jeonbuk Motors will review the incident and plan on appealing the decision.
The South Korean club said in their statement: “It would be unreasonable to view it as an intention of racial discrimination. The club expects a more objective and balanced judgment to be made through the appeal process and will do its best until the end so that Coach Tano [Taricco] can quickly get out of this dishonourable situation, and his memory of the K League and Korean football does not remain as a bitter pain.”
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