Italy: Andrea Pirlo's appointment jeopardized by a Russia-related controversy

As the Italian Football Federation prepares to appoint its new national team coach, Andrea Pirlo's candidacy is far from being unanimously accepted. The former World Cup winner finds himself at the center of a heated controversy due to his business ties with a Russian company.

Backed by technical director Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo, Pirlo has still not been officially appointed head coach of the Squadra Azzurra. While his coaching abilities are not in question, his status as an ambassador for Fonbet, a Russian-based sports betting company, is drawing considerable criticism.

This collaboration has provoked a wave of reactions, including in the political sphere. The Vice-President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno, publicly denounced the situation, arguing that the former midfielder had contributed to improving the image of the Russian regime during the war in Ukraine. According to her, his appointment represents "a serious mistake" for Italian football.

Despite this controversy, Andrea Pirlo remains calm. The current Dubai United manager has clauses in his contract allowing him to terminate his agreements with both his club and Fonbet. The Italian Football Federation is reportedly waiting for him to resolve these issues before finalizing his appointment as national team coach.

Pirlo's future as Italy's manager now depends as much on these off-field issues as on his performance on the sidelines. The Federation's final decision is expected in the coming days.