Lippi to take part in anti-racism film

Italy coach Marcelo Lippi has volunteered to take part in an anti-racism and anti-fascism film aimed at schoolchildren, its director Moni Ovadia said Monday.

Outspoken Ovadia asked Lippi to speak about the Holocaust during the film, and revealed that the coach had been eager to participate.

“He seemed a generous man to me and he seemed perfect for the role, unpaid of course, not just for his popularity amongst young people but also for his clarity of speech,” said Ovadia.

“It will be a strong message and Lippi is a star not because of what he does but because of who he is. Because of the way he speaks and the ideas he has, he can easily reach out to people's hearts and minds.

“That's what we want in order to reach out to young people with a strong message, such as an anti-fascist one.”

Ovadia has yet to decide exactly what Lippi's role will be but he will likely read something from Primo Levi, a Jewish Italian Holocaust survivor.

The 2006 World Cup-winning coach will play his role alongside well-known Italian actors such as Antonio Albanese and Nicoletta Braschi.