Political Backlash Derails National Team Appointment
Andrea Pirlo has confirmed that he is no longer in line to coach the Italy national team, with his sponsorship deal involving a Russian betting firm heavily influencing the development. Several Italian politicians raised strong objections regarding Pirlo’s role as an ambassador for Fonbet, arguing that the national team coach should not hold associations conflicting with Italy’s support for Ukraine in the war with Russia.
Writing on Instagram on Monday, Pirlo stated that he “heard last night that I’m no longer the candidate for the Italy national team job”. Previously, the former Azzurri midfielder defended the Fonbet agreement, maintaining it was linked strictly to his job in the United Arab Emirates and served “exclusively for commercial and sports purposes”. He added, “Attributing a political significance to that collaboration means attributing beliefs to me that I have never expressed and don’t belong to me”.
Political Friction and Leadership Search
Despite receiving backing from the new Italian football federation technical director, Paolo Maldini, the controversy ignited intense friction among politicians.
Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European parliament, criticized the potential selection on social media, stating:
“After yet another defeat and another missed World Cup qualification, Italian football desperately needed a cultural, ethical and managerial revolution. The choice of Andrea Pirlo goes in the exact opposite direction”.
Ignazio La Russa, head of the Senate and member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, expressed doubts on Saturday, noting that “as a coach, it is a leap in the dark”.
Meanwhile, Azione party leader Carlo Calenda was direct in his criticism, declaring:
“Anyone who is or has been promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office”.
The FIGC had approached Pirlo after failing to land top choices Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti in their search for a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, who left by mutual consent in April after Italy missed a third consecutive World Cup.
