Malagò retains control as Italian football enters special administration
Giovanni Malagò is to remain in charge of Italian football as commissioner after CONI voted to place the FIGC under extraordinary administration, resolving an election eligibility dispute while Euro 2032 preparations remain under pressure.
The Italian Olympic Committee has voted unanimously to place the Italian Football Federation under extraordinary administration and appoint Giovanni Malagò as commissioner, allowing him to retain operational control despite an irregularity in his election as president.The agreement between Malagò and CONI president Luciano Buonfiglio provides a route towards a fresh election after questions over Malagò’s membership status threatened a leadership change during preparations for Euro 2032.Buonfiglio had emphasised the need to follow the governing rules ahead of the decision, saying in comments translated from Italian: “We will send the opinions to all executive board and national council members, together with our lawyers’ documentation.”The dispute concerned Malagò’s failure to register as a FIGC member before his election in June, rather than allegations of financial misconduct or administrative failings within the federation.Under the compromise, Malagò will relinquish the presidency and lead the federation temporarily as commissioner, giving him time to regularise his membership before standing again in a new ballot expected in January.The arrangement was agreed during a meeting between Malagò and Buonfiglio shortly before CONI’s executive committee considered the matter on October 6, with the decision requiring ratification by its national council.Malagò won 68.58% of the vote in June, comfortably defeating former federation president Giancarlo Abete, who received 29.17%, after Gabriele Gravina resigned following Italy’s failure to qualify for a third successive World Cup.The leadership dispute had attracted intervention from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who warned Italian authorities against political interference in the federation and raised the potential consequences for Italy’s hosting of Euro 2032.Keeping Malagò in charge provides continuity, although the appointment of a commissioner should not itself be interpreted as confirmation that UEFA has accepted the arrangement or withdrawn its concerns.Italy will co-host the tournament with Türkiye, but stadium readiness remains a substantial challenge, with the FIGC having submitted a shortlist of 14 venues across 13 cities to UEFA last week.Only Juventus’ Allianz Stadium in Turin is currently ready, leaving the tournament dependent on a programme of construction and redevelopment that requires investment, planning approvals and coordination between clubs and public authorities.The governance settlement therefore leaves Malagò overseeing both preparations for another presidential election and the federation’s work on securing suitable venues for the European Championship.The former CONI president also led the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics organising committee and remains an International Olympic Committee member, bringing experience of major event administration to the temporary role.The compromise changes the legal basis on which he leads the FIGC while preserving its senior leadership, with the next steps being formal ratification, completion of his membership requirements and a new election to establish an elected presidency.