Italy Minister for Sport takes aim at Gravina, calls for ‘FIGC leadership’ overhaul
Italy’s Minister for Sport, Andrea Abodi, says ‘Italian football needs to be rebuilt’, a process that ‘must start with a renewal of the FIGC leadership.’
Italy’s Minister for Sport calls for drastic changes in Italian football after another World Cup disappointment.
The Azzurri lost on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off Final on Tuesday night, failing to qualify for the competition for the third consecutive time.
“I thank the team and the coach for the commitment they showed last night, but it’s evident that Italian football needs to be rebuilt, and this process must start with a renewal of the FIGC leadership,” Abodi said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
“Football is a sport, and in times of military and economic crisis like these, it should not be burdened with excessive meanings. On the other hand, it is undeniable that football is more than just a sport, especially in Italy, where it has become part of popular culture, a communal ritual, and a source of international prestige,” he continued.
“It saddens me to think that there is an entire generation of children and young people who have yet to experience the thrill of watching the national team play in a World Cup.”
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina has refused to resign, but is facing growing pressure in Italy. Gravina has been in charge since 2018 and was re-elected in February 2025 with 98.68% of the votes.
During his press conference last night, Gravina called for measures in support of the football system, but Abodi hit back, saying that the FIGC President should acknowledge his responsibility.
“The Government has demonstrably shown, over the years, its commitment to the entire Italian sports movement,” Abodi noted.
“Our athletes have given us immense satisfaction across many disciplines. I consider it objectively unfair to deny one’s own responsibility for the third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup by accusing institutions of alleged shortcomings and downplaying the importance of the professional level in other sports.
“We will continue, as we’ve done so far, to carry out the institutions’ responsibilities, but what is needed is responsibility, humanity, and respect from everyone. Italy must return to being Italy, even in world Football.”
Italian players returned home on Wednesday morning, landing at Malpensa Airport just a few hours after their defeat in Bosnia.