FIGC president Gabriele Gravina outlined the plans to reform Italian football and spoke about the team’s development under Roberto Mancini.
The Azzurri managed to avoid suffering relegation from their Nations League group after beating England 1-0 yesterday at San Siro, allowing the team to breathe a sigh of relief. Although Italy failed to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, Mancini has stayed on as head coach and now the path begins to Euro 2024, the Azzurri’s next major tournament.
Speaking at the Trento Sports Festival, Gravina first reacted to Italy’s win over England and the growth of the team in recent months.
“On the Italian national team I can say that the project is going ahead. In 24 hours we have gone from relegation risk to a possible win in the group. Defending the position will allow us a better position at the next draw for the European Championship.
“We have many injured players, but also many young players. I thank the clubs for their availability, the young players and Roberto Mancini, who with his work allows us to move forward.”
He commented on the foundations laid to help reform Italian football in the coming years.
“We have to enrich our world and find shared solutions. Everyone must play a part in this, including the political side. There are many points to work on, one of the objectives is to bring great competition back to our country.
“Then the youth systems and the infrastructure. On the former we will move with a technical department that will be led by two top players in the sector to enhance the 50 federal centres.
“With the president of the Lega Serie A, Casini, we will make sure to give young players the chance to be included in the teams. Infrastructure is indispensable, in the meantime we are candidates for Euro 2032.”
The FIGC president discussed the financial issues currently plaguing Italian football and the solutions.
“Another fundamental issue is that of revenues. It is a problem, it exists. We also have to reduce costs, we are careful and strict in checking the sustainability and solvency of clubs. These are elements of survival. Our sustainability in the world of football is also social.
“On December 21 there will be a General Assembly to plan the development and reform of Italian football. We want to remove the right of veto from each component which doesn’t allow us to find unity of intent on an issue that cannot be postponed.”
Finally, Gravina underlined the need for serious changes in Italian football to help right the ship after a tough few years.
“Italian football must change. Our system can no longer function in this way. The change must be welcomed as an opportunity and not as a threat and must be the basis of the reform that our movement has needed for some time.”