Andrea Pirlo Withdraws from Italy National Team Job Over Fonbet Controversy

Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn from contention to become the head coach of the Italy national team following intense backlash over his ties to Fonbet, the Russian sportsbook. The Italian soccer legend’s decision comes after criticism from politicians and media over his role as a global ambassador for the company.

Pirlo’s withdrawal has triggered a domino effect, prompting the resignations of Paolo Maldini, the technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and his adviser, Leonardo, a winner of the Brazil World Cup. Both had publicly backed Pirlo for the role.

Pirlo was widely seen as the frontrunner to replace Gennaro Gattuso, who stepped down in April after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. However, his commercial relationship with Fonbet, which he joined as a global ambassador in October, became a major point of contention.

Critics, including Carlo Calenda of the centrist Azione party, argued that Pirlo’s association with the company was politically problematic. “Anyone who is or has been promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office,” Calenda stated in an interview with Italian media.

Fonbet, founded in 1994 by chess grandmaster Anatoly Machulsky, is one of Russia’s largest sportsbooks, operating over 1,000 retail betting shops alongside its online platform. The controversy escalated further when Pirlo attended an event in Moscow last year alongside nationalist pro-Kremlin singer Shaman, who has been sanctioned by the EU for his support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement posted on Instagram on Monday (July 28), Pirlo expressed regret over the public debate surrounding his candidacy. “In recent days, I have witnessed with great bitterness the debate that has developed around my name and the possibility of serving as Head Coach of the Italian national team,” he wrote. Pirlo clarified that his deal with Fonbet originated during his time coaching Dubai United in the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing that it was “exclusively of a commercial and sporting nature.”

With Pirlo out of the running, speculation has turned to Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to victory in the UEFA European Championship in 2021, as the likely successor.