Russian ambassador defends Pirlo after Italy head coach job chaos: ‘Solidarity’ | OneFootball

Aleksey Paramonov, the Russian ambassador to Italy, has expressed his sympathies to Andrea Pirlo following the confirmation that he will not be taking over as the next head coach of the national team due to his involvement with the Russian betting company Fonbet: ‘We stand in sincere solidarity with you’.

On Monday, Pirlo himself confirmed that he is no longer in the running to take over as the next head coach of the Italy national team.

The former Milan and Juventus midfielder had emerged as the frontrunner for the vacant CT role following the confirmation that neither Pep Guardiola nor Carlo Ancelotti would be taking over.

Despite the fact that Pirlo’s appointment was described as ‘imminent’ by reports in the Italian press over the weekend, his candidacy was cast under doubt after it was revealed that he is a global ambassador for the Russian betting company Fonbet, which presented numerous legal, political and moral issues.

On Monday morning, Pirlo announced via his social media channels that he is no longer in the running to take over as head coach of the Italy national team.

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – MAY 18: Head coach of Juventus Andrea Pirlo speaks with the media during an Juventus press conference ahead of the TIMVISION Cup Final between Atalanta BC and Juventus on May 18, 2021 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for Lega Serie A)

This has prompted a response from the Russian embassy, with ambassador Paramonov releasing an open letter in which he staunchly defended Pirlo and his association with Fonbet.

Paramonov also criticised the Italian state for the ‘cancellation’ threats that have been thrown at Pirlo over the last 24 hours, and says that ‘having you as an ambassador is undoubtedly a great honour for any country or organisation’.

Russian ambassador expresses solidarity with Pirlo: ‘Having you is an honour’

“Dear Mr Andrea Pirlo,” Paramonov’s open letter began.

“Unfortunately, we do not know each other personally, but, like any sports fan around the world, I am very familiar with the goals you scored, which made you a star and legend of global football.

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“Until recently, I was unaware that you are also a colleague of mine and serve, as the Italian press reports, as an ambassador for the Russian company Fonbet. In the current diplomatic crisis, having you as an ambassador is undoubtedly a great honour for any country or organisation.

“It’s a pity that, despite your contributions to sport and Italy’s image abroad, you are facing the prospect of being ‘cancelled’ here in Italy at the hands of your pseudo-democratic establishment, just as has happened to thousands of Russian athletes, artists, musicians and directors. It might not be of much practical help, but we stand in sincere solidarity with you.

“That is true even if the Italian national football team, which you could have and might still coach, could well prove to be a formidable opponent for Russia in future European and World championships.”