Ceferin warns Italian football dispute could affect Euro 2032

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has warned that political interference in the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) could damage trust in Italy’s preparations to co-host Euro 2032 with Turkey.His comments follow a challenge to the eligibility of FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, who was elected in June but could face removal because he did not formally hold the federation membership required to stand. The dispute has raised the prospect of the FIGC being placed under special administration, although no decision has been made.Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ceferin said FIFA and UEFA had consistently defended the autonomy of national federations and urged the relevant Italian bodies to resolve the matter under sporting rules. He said: “The worsening institutional crisis benefits no one.”Asked whether the dispute could affect Euro 2032, Ceferin declined to predict an outcome but said Italy had a particular responsibility as a co-host. “Any form of political interference could undermine the trust of UEFA and other partners,” he said, adding that such an outcome would serve neither Italian football nor the tournament.His warning brings a governance dispute into the preparations for a competition that will require sustained cooperation between the federation, public authorities, clubs and host cities. It also adds to UEFA’s existing concerns about whether Italy can deliver the stadium improvements needed for the tournament.Ceferin acknowledged that 13 Italian cities had expressed interest in hosting matches and described announced investment plans as encouraging, but said proposals needed to become tangible progress quickly. He argued that municipal ownership of many stadiums leaves clubs with limited incentive to invest in facilities they do not control, while lengthy approval processes can delay projects.Juventus, Atalanta and Udinese were among the examples he cited of clubs making progress when they have greater control over their grounds. In his view, Euro 2032 offers Italy an opportunity to improve the way stadiums are developed and managed, provided clubs, public bodies and local communities work together.The president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Luciano Buonfiglio, responded that his organisation acts independently and would handle the FIGC matter in accordance with sporting rules. His response underlines that the question now facing Italian football is how those rules are applied to Malagò’s election, as well as whether any intervention would preserve the federation’s independence.Ceferin stopped short of saying Italy could lose its Euro 2032 matches. His remarks nevertheless put the stability of the FIGC alongside stadium delivery as an issue UEFA will be watching as the country prepares to host.