Italian FA President to Publish Report Blaming Politicians for Football Crises
Gabriele Gravina, the outgoing president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), has announced his intention to publish a comprehensive report aimed at clarifying the responsibilities of Italian politicians regarding the various crises facing the sport domestically.
The report, originally prepared for a parliamentary hearing that was later canceled, seeks to highlight the direct link between political decisions, or the lack of government action, and the structural problems plaguing the sports sector.
The report delves into complex details, including delays in developing stadiums for the Euro 2032 championship, as well as legal obstacles preventing the imposition of quotas for Italian players in clubs, due to European Union legislation.
Gravina, who is currently serving as interim president, also points to the federation's unaddressed demands for essential regulatory amendments, such as reinstating the sports bond system and securing a 1% share of betting revenues to support football's budget.
Criticizing the current climate, Gabriele Gravina stated: "We are going through a moment of great crisis, which requires deep reflection not only from the federation but also from the world of Italian politics, which I have seen immediately rush to demand resignations. I would like to ask if they have taken a single useful action to support the growth of football." This move comes after the cancellation of a scheduled hearing before the Italian Chamber of Deputies' Sports Committee, chaired by Federico Mollicone, prompting Gravina to publicly release the facts to hold everyone accountable.
In a related development, data indicates the stalled work of the joint committee for the European Championship, formed three years ago, at a time when Massimo Cessa has begun his duties as an extraordinary commissioner for stadiums. Meanwhile, local efforts to regulate national player quotas face historical challenges, as similar proposals, such as the '6+5 rule' in 2010, were previously blocked for violating EU freedom of movement laws. This reinforces the FIGC's view that a political and legal framework is essential to support the desired reforms in the upcoming phase.
