Pirlo betting deal sinks Italy return

Andrea Pirlo has dropped out of the running to become Italy head coach after his commercial relationship with Russian betting company Fonbet triggered political and reputational pressure on the Italian Football Federation.Pirlo had emerged as the leading candidate to replace Gennaro Gattuso and was prepared to leave his role with Dubai United, but confirmed that he had been informed he was no longer under consideration.Pirlo said: “I heard last night that I’m no longer the candidate for the Italy national team job.“Over the past few days, I have watched with great bitterness the debate that has developed around my name and the possibility of taking on the role of head coach of the Italian national team.”The former Juventus coach defended his Fonbet agreement, saying it was connected to his work in the United Arab Emirates and had no political meaning.Pirlo said: “Attributing a political significance to that collaboration means attributing beliefs to me that I have never expressed and don’t belong to me.”His appointment had been backed by newly installed FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini, but concern grew over whether the national team coach could maintain an ambassadorial role with a Russian gambling operator while Italy continues to support Ukraine.The dispute also highlighted the scrutiny facing national federations when commercial partnerships involving betting, geopolitics and public office intersect.Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, said the potential appointment ran against the cultural and ethical reset required after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.Azione leader Carlo Calenda said anyone who had promoted Russia since 2022 should not hold a national position, while Senate president Ignazio La Russa questioned Pirlo’s coaching credentials.The FIGC had turned to Pirlo after failing to secure either Pep Guardiola or Carlo Ancelotti as Gattuso’s successor.Gattuso left by mutual consent in April following Italy’s latest World Cup qualification failure, increasing pressure on the federation to deliver a credible sporting and institutional rebuild.Pirlo’s withdrawal leaves the FIGC searching again, while demonstrating how an external betting partnership can become a decisive obstacle when a candidate is being considered for one of football’s highest-profile public roles.