Pushed to resign for calling a referee a “negro de mierda”, an Argentinian coach defends himself: “I have always lived with several guys who have dark skin”

L’Association uruguayenne des arbitres de football (Audaf) a demandé des sanctions exemplaires à l'encontre de Ricardo Caruso Lombardi. EFE – Gaston Britos

Ricardo Caruso Lombardi throws in the towel after being accused of racist insulting a football referee.

Argentinian Ricardo Caruso Lombardi, accused of having uttered a racist insult against a referee which was the subject of a investigation by the prosecution, resigned on Wednesday from his position as coach of the Uruguayan club Miramar Misiones.

The coach, aged 62, made his position available to the club's management, who accepted his resignation at midday, local media reported.

On Monday, following his club's defeat in the first division championship, Ricardo Caruso Lombardi verbally attacked the referee for having sent off one of his players and, in turn, had received a red card.

It was then that he launched "Negro de mierda" to referee Javier Feres. A few hours later, he apologized on the social network of his words.

The prosecution has opened an investigation

The prosecution announced on Wednesday that it had opened an investigation, the police having reported "an alleged act of incitement to hatred". The examination of broadcast cameras and the call for possible witnesses are underway, indicated a spokesperson for the prosecution.

According to the Uruguayan penal code, this offense is punishable by three to eighteen months in prison. On Tuesday, the Uruguayan Football Federation (AUF) strongly condemned the comments of Ricardo Caruso Lombardi.

I said "negro de mierda" angry, because that's how I talk when I'm angry

The AUF must decide on possible disciplinary measures, which the Uruguayan Association of Football Referees (Audaf) has requested " with the greatest possible severity".

He denied being racist

The now ex-coach, who took charge of the club last month, denied being racist. "I’said " negro de mierda" in anger, because that's the way I talk when I'm angry", s’ is it forbidden on radio Sport 890.

"What bothers me the most is that they put racism in the middle of it, when I always lived with several dark-skinned guys", he added.

Ricardo Caruso Lombardi has coached nearly twenty clubs, including some in the Argentine first division, since the start of his career in 1994.