AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has said racism in Italian football, recently brought to light in a children's book endorsed by Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, is "from a small group that doesn't need attention".
Balotelli, born and raised in Italy of Ghanaian immigrants, features in a new children's novel called Buuu written by Italian sports journalist Luigi Garlando, about a boy who receives ridicule for walking on his hands. The Italian relates to tale, given his experiences of being at the brunt of monkey chants hurled at him from the terraces of Serie A.
Seedorf, a Dutchman of Surinamese descent, told press in a conference to announce AC Milan's friendly bout with Al Ahli, "There is no racism in Italy. There is ignorance and it's from a small group that doesn't need attention.
"Bolatelli is an exciting player but his stupid attitude sometimes attracts attention from the crowd — nothing more, nothing less."
Balotelli was recently sidelined by coach Roberto Mancini in a Europa League match for Manchester City against Juventus in Turin for fear of attracting racial abuse.
