Serie A monkey artist apologises, says was misunderstood

'I decided to make everyone a monkey. A Caucasian monkey, an Asian monkey, an African monkey,' says Italian artist Simone Fugazzotto in an attempt to turn the concept of a monkey as a derogatory term on its head. Photo: Reuters

The artist who created images of monkeys for an anti-racism campaign by Italy's Serie A said his work was misunderstood, but apologised to those offended.

The Italian artist, Simone Fugazzotto, told La Repubblica that his idea to portray whites, Asians and blacks as monkeys was intended to be a "defence tool" against the insulting term often hurled at black football players by some Italian fans.