The head of the Italian Football Federation has received a six month ban from UEFA over alleged racist comments.

Carlo Tavecchio will be "ineligible for any position as a UEFA official" during the suspension.

He drew heavy criticism in Italy and abroad earlier this year after comments during his election campaign against former Italy midfielder Demetrio Albertini, who beat in the vote.

Tavecchio made reference to a fictional African player called Opti Poba who he described as someone who "previously ate bananas and then suddenly becomes a first-team player with Lazio" in a discussion about the number of foreign players in the Italian leagues.