December 17, 2019

Andrew Campbell 

Italian football anti-racism posters displaying the artwork of 3 monkeys have erupted widespread disputes since their release on December 16.

The football sport in Italy has been impaired by several incidents of racist abuse during this game season. Therefore, Serie A has officially commissioned Artist Simone Fugazzotto to design an artwork to stop fans from humiliating players with monkey chants during the game time.

Earlier this season, Serie A players Mario Balotelli, Romelu Lukaku, Franck Kessie, Kalidou Koulibaly, Dalbert Henrique, Miralem Pjanic, and Ronaldo Vieira were all subjected to monkey chants or racist remark from fans.

Fugazzotto said he himself came up the idea of his triptych of monkeys, intending to proclaim no difference between humans and apes. He decided to portray monkeys as the metaphor for human beings about the perception of racism. Accordingly, he painted the western monkey with blue and white eyes, the Asian monkey with almond-shaped eyes, and the black monkey centered.

However, the public reaction to his artwork has been overwhelmingly separated. Fugazzotto’s “No To Racism” posters, showing 3 monkeys with painted faces, would be officially displayed at Serie A headquarters in Milan. Serie A chief executive Luigi de Siervo has assured his league's commitment against all forms of prejudice remains strong and concrete.

Photo:Webshot.