Italy’s sport minister urges football chief to step down after World Cup miss
Andrea Abodi, Italy’s Sport Minister, has called for the resignation of the country’s football federation head after the national team failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup. The Azzurri lost in the play-offs to Bosnia and Hercegovina in a penalty shoot-out, missing out on the upcoming finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Gabriele Gravina, the federation chief, has refused to resign, saying a board meeting next week will decide his future. Tensions have risen between the government and Gravina, especially after his comments criticizing state support for football and other sports.
Match highlights
- Andrea Abodi stated that Italian football needs to be rebuilt from the ground up, starting with leadership changes at the FIGC.
- Gabriele Gravina said he would not resign despite the World Cup qualification failure, leaving the decision to an upcoming board meeting.
- The Italian national team missed out on qualifying for a third consecutive World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Hercegovina in a penalty shoot-out.
- Gravina criticized the state’s support for football and compared other sports to “amateur” activities, sparking backlash from athletes like speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida.
- Italy’s recent sporting successes include a record 30 medals at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and 40 medals at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.
