FIGC president Gabriele Gravina explained why Italy decided not to bid for the 2030 World Cup with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and expressed his hurt after Roberto Mancini’s resignation this summer.
Mancini unexpectedly decided to leave his post as the coach of the Italy national team on August 13, drawing a close to a five-year spell in charge. The move came as a surprise to the Italian FA, who were forced to quickly find a replacement in the midst of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Italy ultimately hired Luciano Spalletti, who had left Napoli earlier in the summer after winning a historic Scudetto at the club. He has overseen six matches so far, securing qualification for next summer’s European championship.
Speaking to TV2000 via TMW, Gravina first discussed the FIGC’s decision not to join the 2030 World Cup bid with Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
“In the world of sport, moral issues are fundamental. We always talk about values, we try to demonstrate to young people how fundamental image is, cultivating passion but respecting the great values of sport.
“We rejected the proposal with conviction, even though we were aware of the great possibility of success of that combination together with Egypt: Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Italy.
“We did so for reasons of international problems, linked to the Regeni case, and for not sharing some values. You can’t always pretend nothing has happened.”
He then discussed Mancini’s decision to resign from the Italy national team in the summer before accepting the job with Saudi Arabia.
“Not on a sporting level, but on a human level, Mancini’s choice was a disappointment. I felt betrayed in a pure feeling towards Roberto, who I have always considered a friend. Beyond the interests of his technical choice, for me it was a wound that I struggle to heal from.”
Finally, Gravina weighed in on the recent Serie A betting scandal.
“The world of football is considered guilty, I don’t know of what, given that under Italian law betting is legal. However, we punish it, Italian justice doesn’t.
“It comes out through a training process, and above all, dialogue is needed between those pushes not to advertise the game, but to make commercial proposals, which invite people to bet.
“I would speak of a real social plague that has also affected the world of football.”
Italy is not ready for a world cup plus he needs to forget Mancini and look forward. He needs to limit foreigners in serie A especially non EU players. Put the National team first and stop having foreigners in the National team. You must be born in Italy to play for Italy. Incredible how you can’t find 11 Italian born players out of a population of 60 million plus people.
we feel betrayed by the poor work you’ve done
we are not ready for the world cup not even the ero we will exit early