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Michael Jackson in racism row 2007-01-01

Michael Jackson has sparked outrage after reportedly making an anti-Italian slur.

The eccentric star - who recently caused controversy by allegedly criticising Jews - is said to have left a voice message for former friend Dieter Wiesner in late 2002 or early 2003, slamming record mogul Tommy Mottola.

According to America's New York Post, the singer said: "I'm very concerned. I don't trust that man. He thinks he's God. He thinks he's Italian Mafia"

Last week Jackson was ordered to apologise to America's Jewish community after allegedly branding them "leeches".

In a recorded call from 2003, aired by US TV network ABC this week, Jackson reportedly said Jewish members of the music industry had conspired to wreck his career.

On the tape - a recorded message for Wiesner - Jackson says: "They suck them [stars] like leeches They start out the most popular person in the world, make a lot of money, big house, cars and everything and end up penniless. It's a conspiracy. The Jews do it on purpose"


The comments outraged America's Jewish population, and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) demanded he apologise. ADL director Abraham H Foxman slammed the pop star in a statement, saying: "Michael Jackson has an anti-Semitic streak It seems every time he has a problem in his life, he blames it on Jews"
Michael Jackson's attorney, Brian Oxman, has defended the superstar saying he is not anti-Semitic.