Pirlo's appointment as Italy head coach in doubt over ties to Russian betting company

[p]The 47-year-old World Cup winner had emerged as the leading candidate to succeed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gattuso-gennaro/4KygbMf9/"]Gennaro Gattuso[/a] after former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]‌Manchester City[/a] manager [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/guardiola-pep/hxNijWrJ/"]Pep Guardiola[/a] reportedly turned down the position.[/p][p]However, key figures in the Italian Football ‌Federation (FIGC) and Italian parliamentarians are now weighing up the fallout from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pirlo-andrea/2kfSDavF/"]Pirlo[/a]’s role ‌as a global ambassador for Russian bookmaker Fonbet.[/p][p]The FIGC declined to comment when contacted by ‌Reuters but a source close to the matter said that Pirlo's connections ‌to Russia were being evaluated and that the matter was not closed.[/p][p]Pirlo, currently managing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/united-arab-emirates/Knrj3QiN/"]United Arab Emirates[/a] Pro League side United FC in Dubai, signed an ambassadorship deal with Fonbet in ‌October. Scrutiny intensified following his appearance alongside former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/italy/hlKvieGH/"]Italy[/a] ⁠teammate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/materazzi-marco/r3YqlUhD/"]Marco Materazzi[/a] at Moscow’s Luzhniki ‌Stadium during an event organised by the bookmaker.[/p][p]The visit prompted criticism, with commentators noting that ​the promotional event coincided with aerial attacks on Ukraine.[/p][p]Pirlo defended his involvement, saying his presence was strictly non-political.[/p][p]The controversy complicates the start of ​Giovanni Malago’s tenure as FIGC president, coming weeks after his election to lead the restructuring of Italian football following the national team’s third consecutive failure ⁠to qualify for the World ​Cup.[/p][embed guid="5e5c80c3-de16-4d61-857e-6de1abf2826b" url="https://x.com/IFTVofficial/status/2081361998785249534" social-type="twitter" /][h2]Political opposition[/h2][p]Despite Pirlo having the backing of newly appointed FIGC technical director [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/maldini-paolo/YoxUzuYk/"]Paolo Maldini[/a], the controversy has created significant friction among politicians who have raised objections, saying that a commercial agreement with a Russian gambling operator is not compatible with the role ‌of leading the national team.[/p][p][b]"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,[/b]" Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, said on social media.[/p][p]Ignazio La Russa, the head of the Senate, a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party and a prominent [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/inter/Iw7eKK25/"]Inter Milan[/a] fan, expressed doubts over the potential appointment.[/p][p][b]"I respect Malago, (federation advisor) Leonardo and Maldini, in that order, and so I didn't immediately make any statements about ‌Pirlo as Italy coach, also out of respect for them,[/b]" La Russa told ​news agency ANSA on Saturday.[b] "I am speaking only because you called ‌me: God help us.[/b][/p][p][b]"Of course I am an Italy fan and Pirlo was a great champion, but as a coach, it is a leap in the dark,"[/b] he added.[/p][p]Carlo Calenda, leader of the centrist Azione party, was even more direct in his criticism.[/p][p][b]"Anyone who is or has been promoting ⁠Russia after 2022 should not hold ⁠national office,"[/b] Calenda said.[/p]