Pirlo out of Italy football top job after backlash over Russian betting firm links - BBC

What the report says

BBC News reports that Andrea Pirlo is no longer in contention to become head coach of Italy’s national football team after criticism over his links to Fonbet, a Russian betting company. The Italian Football Federation had not formally announced Pirlo’s appointment, but the move was widely viewed as close to completion before the backlash. Pirlo, currently head coach of Dubai United in the UAE, said on Instagram that he had been told he was no longer a candidate and rejected suggestions that his commercial work reflected political views.

The controversy centered on Pirlo’s role as a global ambassador for Fonbet, which BBC reported has sponsored sporting events involving veterans of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Scrutiny grew after Pirlo appeared at a Fonbet event in Moscow, where pro-Kremlin figures were also present. Italian politicians including Carlo Calenda and European Parliament vice-president Pina Picierno criticized the prospect of Pirlo taking a national role, while Russia’s ambassador in Rome, Aleksey Paramonov, defended him.

The episode has deepened turmoil around the FIGC after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. BBC said Paolo Maldini, recently appointed as technical director, and adviser Leonardo have also resigned after being tasked with helping rebuild the national setup and identify a new coach.

The managerial search follows Gennaro Gattuso’s departure after Italy’s latest qualifying failure. BBC cited Italian media reporting that Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini are now among names being considered, after approaches to Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were unsuccessful.