RACISM FEAR SEES VIEIRA REJECT ITALY
The 24-year-old French international moved to Highbury in 1996, after playing just two games for Italian giants AC Milan, but the man who has established himself as one of the best midfielder`s in England has ruled out of a move back to Southern Europe.
In an interview with German magazine, Kicker, Vieira confirmed that he would not go back to Italy following his spell with Milan, because of the substantial abuse he received from both players and fans from Lazio in a recent Champions League game. Click here for story
"I would not return, no, absolutely not," said Vieira. "Although there are large teams in Italy, which are interested in me, I will not return.
"There is an intolerable atmosphere of the racism which prevails, and I grew up in an atmosphere of the equal rights."
The Senegalese-born ace also claims that the racist problem is prevelant in football as a whole, but Italy is the main culprit.
"It is quite clearly a problem and Italy is the example.We were there to play over football in Rome and I found an inhuman atmosphere with incomprehensible offenses because of my skin colour.
"I have spoken with other colored players who have played in Serie A and they tell the same story, for example Middlesbrough`s Paul Ince, had there the same problems whilst at Internazionale. Sad, but true.
Vieira was also asked if he was happy at Arsenal and commentted: "I am content with Arsenal, because coach Arsene Wenger counts on me. We have enormous quality here and chances in the Premiership as well as the Champions League."
The news will be a blow to the likes of Roma and Juventus who had both hoped to persuade Vieira to move back to Italy, but that now looks very unlikely following his experiences in the Stadio Olimpico.
