Italy: Links with Russia, Maldini threatens to leave, Pirlo breaks his silence... The coach's appointment turns into a political scandal

Just when everything seemed set for Andrea Pirlo to become Italy's new manager, his ties to a Russian sports betting company have rocked the Italian political scene. So much so that the Federation is on the verge of implosion.

The quest for redemption has been slightly delayed in Italy. After several weeks of waiting, everything seemed settled: Andrea Pirlo was on the verge of becoming the new manager of the Squadra Azzurra. Technical director Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo, under the leadership of the new president Giovanni Malagò, had agreed to bring in the former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder. That is, until a controversy escalated into a full-blown political scandal across the Alps.

Andrea Pirlo has indeed been caught up by his links with Russia and in particular his role as ambassador for Fonbet, one of the country's main sports betting companies, and with oligarch Sergei Lomakin, president of United FC, a club in the United Arab Emirates which he coaches.

Two opposing factions

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Paolo Maldini is standing firmly behind Andrea Pirlo. However, faced with political pressure, Giovanni Malagò is already looking for other candidates for the next national team coach. This could lead to the technical director's resignation. The ball is now in Leonardo's court, tasked with mediating between the two men and defusing the controversy.

For his part, Andrea Pirlo broke the silence he had maintained since the first developments in the affair. On his Instagram account, the former Juventus coach said he had "watched with great bitterness the debate that has developed around [his] name." "The professional collaboration in question, which has recently sparked controversy, is part of my work in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively commercial and sporting in nature," he explained.

She added: "Attributing a history to the collaboration means attributing to me beliefs that I have never expressed and that do not belong to me."

After 12 years without World Cup qualification, Italy is mired in yet another crisis. Will the future of the Squadra Azzurra be written with Maldini and Pirlo? The next few hours will be decisive.