Federation President Gabriele Gravina urged the media to stop stirring up doubt over the refereeing as Italy take on England in the UEFA EURO 2020 Final. ‘It gives no credit to our sporting tradition.’
The Final kicks off at Wembley Stadium on Sunday at 20.00 UK time.
“We are proud of the enthusiasm that the Nazionale has generated in the Italian public and it’s a responsibility the Azzurri are experiencing with great pleasure,” said the FIGC chief as they arrived in London.
“However, this rediscovered love between the Azzurri and their supporters must be experienced with good conscience, without putting your own health or that of anyone else at risk.
“Celebrations of any kind must be done in safety and following the indications of the authorities.”
There are reports that if Italy do win the Euros, they will have a brief drive around the streets of Rome in an open-top bus, but the aim is to prevent big gatherings of people during the COVID pandemic.
Gravina also spoke about the conspiracy theories making their way around the media not just in Italy, but also other European nations, after a very soft England penalty allowed them to beat Denmark in extra time.
The suggestion has been that UEFA favoured England from the start as a ‘reward’ for breaking up the European Super League project.
“This controversy over a possible refereeing performance against us gives no credit to our sporting tradition and risks distracting attention from the extraordinary festival of sport that will be Italy v England.”