Gabriele Gravina, president of Italy Football Federation, resigned on Thursday following mounting political pressure, just two days after the Azzurri failed to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup.
Gravina’s departure is expected to prompt the exit of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso as well. The resignation comes amid calls for a leadership shake-up from Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, who urged a revamp of the country’s soccer hierarchy after two disappointing World Cup qualifying campaigns under Gravina.
“It’s evident to everyone that Italian soccer needs to be overhauled,” Abodi said on Wednesday. “That process needs to start with new leadership at the FIGC.”
Italy’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in North America ended on Tuesday following a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoff.
Gravina took charge of the federation in 2018, succeeding Carlo Tavecchio recent disappointments for the Azzurri, following eliminations by Sweden and North Macedonia in the qualifying playoffs for the last two tournaments. Italy’s struggles on the world stage date back to 2010 and 2014, when the team failed to progress beyond the group stage.
The national team’s last World Cup knockout victory came in 2006, when Italy claimed the title by defeating France in the final via penalty shootout. Gravina did, however, oversee Italy’s triumph at the 2021 UEFA European Championship.
An election has been scheduled for June 22 to select a new FIGC president. Gravina will also attend a hearing in Italy’s parliament next Wednesday to discuss “the wellbeing of Italian soccer.”
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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