Russia and betting: obstacles on Pirlo’s journey to guiding Italy | #Goal
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The Italian Football Federation’s recent decision to appoint Andrea Pirlo as the new coach of the national team has been met with controversy due to his ties to a Russian sports betting company. Despite facing obstacles, Pirlo’s appointment signals a new era for Italian football under the leadership of Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo.
The Italian Federation’s initial choice for the coaching role was Pep Guardiola, who ultimately declined the offer, leading to a renewed search for a suitable candidate. Pirlo emerged as a potential candidate, but concerns were raised over his association with “Fonbet”, a major Russian sports betting company. This connection came to light due to Pirlo’s role as a brand ambassador for the company since October 2025.
Pirlo’s coaching experience with Dubai United, a team sponsored by Russian oligarch Sergei Lomakin’s retail chain “Fix Price”, further complicated matters. His visit to Moscow in May for an event linked to the Russian Federation had already sparked controversy in Italy. These factors led to questions about Pirlo’s ability to lead the Azzurri while maintaining ties to Russian entities.
Critics, including European Parliament vice-president Pina Picierno, have condemned Pirlo’s associations, accusing him of normalizing ties with the Putin regime during the conflict in Ukraine. However, Pirlo’s camp remains confident that he can sever ties with Dubai United and “Fonbet” if necessary to alleviate concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Italian Federation president Giovanni Malagò, a supporter of Roberto Mancini, initially favored the former coach for the national team position. Mancini, who previously led Italy from 2018 to 2023, left to accept an offer in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Serie A clubs, on the other hand, backed Antonio Conte for the role due to his track record of achieving quick results.
Ultimately, Maldini and Leonardo chose Pirlo to lead the new project for the Italian national team, despite initial hesitations. Discussions are ongoing to ensure that Pirlo can separate himself from his Russian connections before officially assuming the coaching position. Malagò and the Italian Federation seek clear assurances from Pirlo to move forward with the appointment process.
As negotiations continue, the football world awaits the resolution of Pirlo’s ties to Russia and the outcome of his potential appointment as Italy’s national team coach. The decision will not only impact the future of Italian football but also shed light on the complexities of navigating international partnerships in the sports industry.
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Russia and betting: thorns on Pirlo’s path to leading Italy | Goal.com
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Source: goal. com