Italy Football Crisis Deepens After Pirlo Exit Over Russian Betting Ties

The Italian Football Federation’s search for a new national team coach has turned into an internal power struggle after a commercial connection to a Russian betting company led leadership to abandon Andrea Pirlo’s candidacy.

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Pirlo had become the preferred option after talks with Pep Guardiola failed to progress. The former Italy midfielder appeared set to take charge of the Azzurri, backed by technical director Paolo Maldini and consultant Leonardo.

The deal collapsed when FIGC president Giovanni Malagò intervened, blocking the appointment because of Pirlo’s association with a foreign betting brand.

The decision has now created tension at the highest levels of Italian football, with Maldini and Leonardo reportedly considering whether to leave their positions only weeks after joining the federation’s new sporting structure.

Betting ties become the centre of the dispute

The controversy comes from Pirlo’s previous commercial relationship with a Russian betting company, where he worked as a brand ambassador.

The issue was amplified by his role at United FC in the United Arab Emirates, a club owned by businessman Sergey Lomakin, who is linked to the same company.

The connection quickly became politically sensitive in Italy because of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Some politicians questioned whether the national team should be associated with a company connected to Russian business interests.

Facing possible public and political backlash, federation leadership chose to step away from the appointment rather than allow the controversy to grow.

The move came despite arguments from Pirlo’s supporters that ending his UAE coaching contract would remove the commercial conflict without creating legal problems.

Decision exposes deeper tensions at FIGC

The dispute was not only about Pirlo. It also exposed disagreements over how decisions are being made inside the federation.

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Maldini was officially appointed on July 11 and had been given responsibility for shaping the national team’s sporting direction, including the selection of the next head coach.

The decision to overrule his preferred candidate without his approval reportedly damaged trust between the federation president and the new sporting leadership.

Italian media outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reported that both Maldini and Leonardo were unhappy with the handling of the situation and were evaluating their future involvement.

Their possible departure would leave FIGC facing another period of uncertainty as it attempts to rebuild the national team after years of instability.

Pirlo rejects political interpretation

Pirlo later addressed the controversy, explaining that his work abroad had always followed the laws and contracts of the countries where he operated.

He described the relationship at the centre of the dispute as a professional sporting and commercial agreement rather than a political statement. He also rejected the idea that the partnership reflected personal views or positions on international issues.

The former midfielder thanked Maldini and Leonardo for their support, while expressing disappointment that a football decision had become connected to wider political debate.

For now, the FIGC must restart its search for a coach while managing a leadership dispute that has emerged before the new national team project has even begun.

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Source: igamingbrazil.com