Gabriele Gravina and Gianluigi Buffon resign as Italy seeks fresh start | OneFootball

Gabriele Gravina and Gianluigi Buffon resigned on Thursday, with successors to be chosen during the World Cup as Italy looks to start afresh.

Two days after the 1-1 draw and 4-1 loss on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Gravina gathered the heads of the seven families of Italian football at FIGC headquarters, then confirmed his departure. He called it a considered decision he fully accepts, speaking of bitterness but also calm.

Buffon, delegation chief since 2023, said on social media he had instinctively offered his resignation a minute after the match. He was asked to pause for reflection and, with Gravina stepping back, felt free to take what he considered a responsible step.

Elections are set for 22 June, in the middle of the tournament, with candidacies due by 13 May. Two names are already prominent, Giovanni Malagò, who led the Italian Olympic Committee from 2013 to 2025, with Italy collecting 70 medals at the most recent Winter and Summer Games.

The other is Giancarlo Abete, FIGC president from 2007 to 2014, who resigned after the World Cup group-stage elimination, and now heads the LND. Delegates from the LND, Serie A, Serie B, Lega Pro Serie C, and the referees, coaches and players’ associations will vote.

As often at election time, former players are being invoked. Gianni Rivera, 82 and the 1969 Ballon d’Or winner who served at the FIGC in the last decade, said, “I am ready, because I have a very precise programme. The way forward is to put the young footballer in the optimal conditions to progress technically,” speaking to Radio Rai.

Source: L'Équipe