Pirlo’s Italy appointment stalls as FIGC scrutinise Russian betting links | OneFootball

Andrea Pirlo’s expected appointment as Italy head coach has been thrown into doubt, with the FIGC pausing to examine his commercial ties to a Russian betting company before committing.

The deal had appeared close to completion, but La Gazzetta dello Sport, via CalcioMercato, reports that federation president Giovanni Malagò has applied the brakes, taking time to assess the situation surrounding the former Milan and Juventus midfielder.

At issue is Pirlo’s role as a global ambassador for Fonbet, a bookmaker whose Russian ownership, rather than the betting link itself, already off-limits for registered figures in Italy, is the real sticking point.

Relations between Italy and Russia have remained strained since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and Pirlo’s promotional work for the brand, which recently took him to Moscow for a company event, sits awkwardly against the prospect of leading the national side. Political figures have added their voices to the unease.

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)

Pirlo’s lawyers point to United FC Dubai exit

Malagò has asked for a closer look at the nature of the relationship between Pirlo and Fonbet, not least because Sergey Lomakin, president and owner of United FC, the Dubai club Pirlo currently coaches, holds significant financial interests in the company.

Pirlo’s legal team maintain that the Fonbet arrangement is tied to his role in the Emirates, and that terminating his United FC contract would dissolve the betting deal with it.

The coach is said to be keen to speak with Malagò and is working to end his stay in Dubai, clearing the way for concrete talks. The federation cannot, and will not, negotiate with a manager still under contract at another club.

Technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo remain convinced Pirlo is the ideal fit for a long-term project, with the framework of a contract already discussed.

Should Malagò judge his position compatible with the role, the FIGC are ready to move quickly, and with time short, they are eager to settle on their next CT.