The Italian football federation [FIGC] are reconsidering their decision to hire Andrea Pirlo.
Multiple reports in the Italian media claim the FIGC are concerned about Pirlo’s links to Russia.
Pirlo is a spokesperson for a Russian betting company and has gone to events and played exhibition matches in the country during their ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
He has been the target of criticism for the deal, with Italy strongly opposed to Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion of their neighbours.
Pirlo was set to be named Italy manager
Italy’s sporting director, Paolo Maldini, turned to former teammate Pirlo after approaching Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti over the job.
Despite Pirlo’s poor coaching record, a deal was almost agreed with him ahead of serial winner Antonio Conte and Euro 2020 winner Roberto Mancini.
However, Gazzetta report that the president of the FIGC, Giovanni Malagò, has interrupted the deal and wants to fully investigate Pirlo’s relationship with the Russian company.
Pirlo has faced criticism from leading figures in Italy, including the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno.
She commented: “He freely and repeatedly lent his prestige to a normalisation effort for Putin’s regime, participating in initiatives exploited by Kremlin propaganda while Ukraine was being bombed.
“Choosing him is a grave mistake.”
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