Racism blights youth football in Italy as much as it does the top leagues, with about 80 cases recorded over the last two seasons, campaigners have said. The issue has resurfaced after a string of incidents in Serie A in recent weeks, but scant attention has been given to what occurs in the lower rungs. Children as young as 12 are suffering racist abuse from adversaries and spectators, according to an independent organisation that collates data on racism incidents. “The attention on racism in football has only been noted when it happens in Serie A or B,” said Mauro Valeri, who leads the Observatory on Racism in Football. “However, there are many episodes in the youth teams, especially among very young players. The issue is not considered to be a serious problem. But in reality, if you look at the quantity – in the last two years alone I’ve registered about 80 episodes.” Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, urged the Italian football authorities … [Read more...] about Italian football racism a scourge of youth game too, say campaigners