Italian soccer federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina resigned on Thursday, within the wake of the nationwide crew’s failure to qualify for a 3rd straight World Cup.
Gravina, in command of the FIGC since 2018, had been urged by the federal government to step down after Italy’s defeat on penalties within the playoff in opposition to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.
The federation will maintain a unprecedented meeting on June 22 to elect a brand new chief, whereas Gravina supplied to seem earlier than a parliamentary committee on April 8 “to report on the state of well being of Italian soccer”, an announcement mentioned.
That listening to has now been cancelled, because the committee awaits the election end result.
The Italian soccer crew final certified for the World Cup in 2014 and has gained just one match on the finals since lifting the trophy for the fourth time in 2006.
Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, nationwide crew delegation head, has additionally introduced his resignation through social media.
Gravina was elected unopposed in October 2018, the 72-year-old changing Carlo Tavecchio who resigned every week after Italy did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
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“After a few years there’s a feeling of nice bitterness, however nice serenity,” Gravina informed reporters.
“I have to thank all of the federal elements who immediately have proven me nice affection, help and closeness immediately, additionally insisting that I proceed, however my private alternative was made with conviction and cautious consideration.”
Whereas Gravina’s time period included the Euro 2020 triumph, it additionally concerned one other two World Cup qualification failures and his place had turn into more and more untenable after a lot criticism from Italian media and senior political figures.
Italy’s Sports activities Minister Andrea Abodi described Italy’s newest failure as a “definitive defeat” and advised that Italian soccer must be “rebuilt from the bottom up”.
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Gravina spoke instantly after the loss to Bosnia, saying he understood the request for resignation however that there was an acceptable place to make evaluations.
That place was the FIGC headquarters in Rome, the place Gravina met with the six federal elements – Serie A, B and C, Nationwide Novice League, Gamers’ Affiliation and Coaches Affiliation – and knowledgeable them of his choice at first of the assembly.
Gravina was re-elected in February 2021, and once more in February 2025 together with his mandate as a consequence of finish in 2028, however the search now begins for his successor.
Names already being talked about embrace 67-year-old former head of Italy’s Olympic Committee (CONI) Giovanni Malago and former FIGC president Giancarlo Abete. Abete, 75, held the function from 2007 to 2014.
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BUFFON BOWS OUT
Buffon, former Italy goalkeeper and a part of the 2006 World Cup-winning aspect, wrote on Instagram that he had initially supplied his resignation instantly after the loss to Bosnia, however had been requested to take time to mirror.
“Now that president Gravina has chosen to take a step again, I be happy to do what I really feel is an act of duty,” Buffon wrote.
“As a result of, even within the honest conviction that I’ve constructed a lot on a spirit and group degree with Rino Gattuso and all of the collaborators, in a really brief time on the disposal of the nationwide crew, the principle goal was to convey Italy again to the World Cup.
“We didn’t succeed. It’s honest to go away it to those that will come after, the liberty to decide on the determine they assume is finest to play my function.”
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SOCIAL MEDIA STORM
Gravina had additionally are available for heavy criticism for feedback he made after the Bosnia defeat, when requested why Italy excelled in different disciplines however not in soccer.
In his response, Gravina mentioned that soccer is knowledgeable sport, whereas the others are novice, which induced outrage, with many Italian athletes taking to social media.
Irma Testa, the primary feminine boxer to characterize Italy on the Olympics and bronze medallist in 2020, wrote on Instagram that ‘we’re the actual professionals’ and the FIGC assertion on Thursday mentioned that Gravina expressed remorse over the interpretation of his remarks.
Gravina defined that his feedback referred to the presence inside some federations of leagues with their very own autonomy and the company nature {of professional} golf equipment which should adjust to nationwide and worldwide laws.
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After Gravina and Buffon’s resignations, Italy supervisor Gennaro Gattuso’s place can be beneath query, together with his contract ending in June. Media studies have linked Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri as attainable replacements.