Andrea Pirlo’s potential appointment as Italy head coach has come under political scrutiny over his commercial ties to Russian bookmaker Fonbet, complicating the search for a new manager following the country’s latest World Cup qualification failure.
The 47-year-old World Cup winner had emerged as the leading candidate to replace Gennaro Gattuso after former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reportedly declined the role.
However, Pirlo’s position as a global ambassador for Fonbet has drawn criticism from politicians and prompted the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to review the issue.
The FIGC declined to comment when contacted by Reuters, but a source familiar with the matter said Pirlo’s links to the Russian betting company were under evaluation and no final decision had been made.
Pirlo, who manages United FC in the United Arab Emirates, signed an ambassadorial agreement with Fonbet in October. Attention intensified after he appeared alongside former Italy teammate Marco Materazzi at an event organised by the bookmaker at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, a visit that coincided with Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine.
Pirlo defended his involvement, saying it was solely commercial.
“The professional collaboration that is the subject of recent controversy came about as part of my working experience in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively of a commercial and sporting nature,” Pirlo said in a statement on Instagram.
“To attribute a political significance to this collaboration is to ascribe to me beliefs that I have never expressed and that do not reflect who I am.
“I regret that a decision of a sporting nature was so quickly dragged into a public debate that ended up attributing to me meanings and intentions that are not my own.”
The controversy comes at the start of Giovanni Malago’s tenure as FIGC president, following his election to oversee reforms after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
Italian media have reported that Pirlo has the backing of newly appointed technical director Paolo Maldini, who is overseeing the search for the national team coach. Reports also suggest Maldini could reconsider his position if Pirlo’s candidacy is blocked.
The prospect of Pirlo’s appointment has drawn criticism from several political figures.
“After yet another defeat and another missed World Cup qualification, Italian football desperately needed a cultural, ethical and managerial revolution. The choice of Andrea Pirlo goes in the exact opposite direction,” European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno wrote on social media.
Senate President Ignazio La Russa also questioned the move.
“I respect Malago, Leonardo and Maldini, in that order, and so I didn’t immediately make any statements about Pirlo as Italy coach,” La Russa told ANSA. “I am speaking only because you called me: God help us.
“Of course I am an Italy fan and Pirlo was a great champion, but as a coach, it is a leap in the dark.”
Carlo Calenda, leader of the centrist Azione party, was more outspoken.
“Anyone who is or has been promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office,” he said.
