ROME -- A leading candidate for Italian football federation president is facing fierce criticism and calls to step aside following a racist comment. Amateur leagues president Carlo Tavecchio caused a stir on Friday when he discussed the presence of foreign players in Italy. "In England they select players based on professionalism, whereas we say that Opti Poba is here, he was eating bananas before and now hes starting for Lazio and thats OK," Tavecchio said, using a hypothetical name and situation. Tavecchio apologized and claimed he is not racist but the players and coaches associations both expressed outrage. The Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper also called for the 71-year-old Tavecchio to stand down in an editorial Sunday. The only other candidate in the Aug. 11 election is former AC Milan player and current federation vice-president Demetrio Albertini. Former FIGC president Giancarlo Abete resigned along with national team coach Cesare Prandelli immediately after Italys first-round elimination from the World Cup last month. The vote is considered pivotal for the future of Italian football, which is rife with problems such as falling attendance, crumbling stadiums, fan violence and racism -- plus early eliminations for the national team at the last two World Cups. The new presidents first job will be to name a replacement for Prandelli. Myles Garrett Browns Jersey . This week, topics cover the Blue Jays rotation, the futures John Gibbons and Alex Anthopoulos, protecting pitchers and a bonus question on his predictions for the MLB playoffs. Denzel Ward Jersey . -- During Kansas shootaround on Wednesday before the Jayhawks faced Oklahoma, coach Bill Self told Wayne Selden Jr. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Baker-Mayfield-Jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. David Njoku Browns Jersey . Cox started the season with San Francisco, but was released by the team on Nov. 12 before being signed by Seattle, where he appeared in two games and tallied three tackles before being released on Dec. Denzel Ward Browns Jersey . At 11:06 of the first period, Neal struck Marchand with his knee when Marchand was down on the ice. Marchand remained in the game. Neal was assessed a kneeing penalty for his hit on Marchand.The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Jiri Tlusty to a one-year contract reportedly worth $2.95 million. The 26-year-old scored 16 goals and added 14 assists with the Hurricanes in 2013-2014. In 344 career games with the Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs,, Tlusty has 73 goals and 69 assists for 142 points.dddddddddddd The Hurricanes later signed goaltender Drew MacIntyre to a one-year, $600,000 two-way contract. MacIntyre posted a 29-15-13 record with the AHLs Toronto Marlies in 2013-14. ' ' '