Key facts
- Italy's repeated failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup has led to a political struggle over the governance of the sport.
- The Italian government, led by Giorgia Meloni, is reportedly seeking to influence the upcoming election for the head of the FIGC.
- Critics accuse the government of attempting a political takeover of an independent institution.
- Giovanni Malagò is the favored candidate to lead the FIGC, but faces opposition from Meloni's party.
- The FIGC's structural issues, including resistance to reforms and aging leadership, mirror Italy's broader economic stagnation.
Italy's prolonged absence from the FIFA men's World Cup has escalated into a significant political confrontation, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government reportedly seeking to exert influence over the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
The FIGC's president, Gabriele Gravina, resigned in April following the team's playoff defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina, which sealed Italy's third consecutive World Cup absence. This sporting failure has become a proxy battleground for broader issues of governance, reform, and investment in Italian football, mirroring the country's economic stagnation.
Meloni's Brothers of Italy party has proposed placing the FIGC under special administration, a move typically reserved for corruption scandals, rather than allowing the scheduled June 22 elections to proceed. This has been interpreted by critics and football officials as a political maneuver to block Giovanni Malagò, a former president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) and the current favorite for the FIGC presidency, whom the government dislikes.
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has publicly stated that the focus should be on reforms rather than elections, while Gravina has denounced the government's actions as an attempt at "occupation" and a long-standing ambition to "take over the football world." Opposition parties have accused Meloni of centralizing power, drawing parallels with alleged government influence over state television and financial regulators.
Italy's football leadership, like the country's establishment, is seen as aging and resistant to innovation. The FIGC's complex structure, with multiple constituent bodies wielding veto power, has historically hindered reform efforts. Proposals to reduce the number of teams in Serie A and alter promotion/relegation rules have been repeatedly rejected by lower divisions.
Malagò, a 67-year-old widely regarded as an effective operator, has garnered support from Serie A clubs and football players. His main rival, Giancarlo Abete, is considered unlikely to pose a significant challenge. However, Malagò's strained relationship with the Meloni government, coupled with a potential conflict of interest review initiated by the administration, could complicate his path forward.
The government's efforts to place the FIGC under administration are reportedly losing momentum, as the formal authority rests with CONI and the conditions for such a measure may not be met. Nevertheless, the political maneuvering highlights the deep entanglement of football with Italian culture and politics, and the ongoing struggle for control over a beloved national institution.