Andrea Pirlo has stated he is no longer a candidate for the head coach position of the Italian national side. This decision follows a period of controversy surrounding his connections to a Russian betting company, Fonbet.
While his appointment had not been officially confirmed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), it was widely considered to be a certainty. However, Italian politicians criticized the potential choice over the weekend, citing Pirlo’s role as a global ambassador for Fonbet since October. The betting firm has sponsored various sporting events, some of which involved veterans of Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine, and has hosted events in Russia where Pirlo appeared alongside pro-Kremlin figures.
Controversy and Political Reaction
Carlo Calenda of the centrist Azione party commented that individuals promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office. Pirlo, a former midfielder for Internazionale, Juventus, AC Milan, and the Azzurri, addressed the situation in an Instagram post on Monday morning. He expressed bitterness over the debate surrounding his name, clarifying that any professional collaboration undertaken in his capacity as coach for United FC in Dubai was “exclusively of a commercial and sporting nature.” Pirlo added that assigning a political meaning to this collaboration would imply beliefs he has never expressed.
Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, remarked that Italian football required a “cultural, ethical and managerial revolution,” suggesting Pirlo’s selection would move in the opposite direction. Conversely, the Russian ambassador in Rome, Aleksey Paramonov, offered support to Pirlo, noting it was “saddening” that despite his contributions to world sport and Italy’s image, he was being ostracized in his own country.
Scrutiny of Pirlo’s ties to Fonbet intensified last spring when he participated in an event in Moscow. During this event, held at Luzhniki Stadium, Pirlo and former teammate Marco Materazzi signed autographs. The event also featured a performance by pro-Kremlin pop star Shaman. Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych criticized Pirlo for his appearance, particularly as the event coincided with a significant Russian attack on Ukraine. Heraskevych also noted Pirlo’s appearance alongside Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba, who had publicly expressed pride in being Russian.
Impact on Italian Football and Future Candidates
The controversy now reportedly impacts FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini, who assumed his role on July 11. Italian media suggest Maldini may resign following Pirlo’s failed appointment. Maldini and his adviser, former AC Milan teammate Leonardo, were tasked with identifying a new head coach to guide Italy through a Nations League group that includes France, Belgium, and Turkey in the autumn, with the aim of qualifying for Euro 2028.
The Italian football community has been reflecting on its direction after the team failed to qualify for a third World Cup earlier this year. The departure of coach Gennaro Gattuso after Italy’s loss on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina in April led to a reshuffle within the FIGC. Before Pirlo, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were reportedly approached but did not take the position.
Italian legend and former politician Gianni Rivera also voiced strong opinions on the matter, stating that Pirlo “cannot be the right person to lead the Nazionale.” Rivera emphasized that Pirlo’s relationship with Russia would expose the entire Italian football movement to reputational risk. He expressed hope that Maldini was unaware of Pirlo’s connection with the gambling company in Moscow. Marco Materazzi, another 2006 World Cup winner, is also a brand ambassador for Fonbet and attended the Moscow event in May, as did Francesco Totti for other sponsorship events. According to Italian media, other names currently under consideration for the head coach role include Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini.
Source: bbc.com
