FIGC pauses Pirlo appointment amid Fonbet scrutiny
President Giovanni Malagò cites strained diplomatic relations and potential conflicts of interest, halting talks until Andrea Pirlo resolves his contract in Dubai.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has suspended Andrea Pirlo’s expected appointment as national team head coach, pausing negotiations to investigate his commercial relationship with Fonbet, a Russian-owned betting company. Federation president Giovanni Malagò has applied the brakes to the selection process, requiring a closer assessment of the situation surrounding the former Milan and Juventus midfielder before the federation can commit to a new coach.
The primary concern centres on Pirlo’s role as a global ambassador for Fonbet, a position that has drawn scrutiny due to the firm’s Russian ownership. While the betting link itself is not the sole issue, Russian ownership is already considered off-limits for registered figures in Italy, particularly given the strained diplomatic relations between Rome and Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Pirlo’s recent promotional activities for the brand, which included a trip to Moscow for a company event, sit uncomfortably against the prospect of him leading the national side.
Malagò has requested a detailed examination of the nature of Pirlo’s relationship with Fonbet, noting that Sergey Lomakin, the president and owner of United FC, holds significant financial interests in the betting firm. Pirlo is currently coaching at United FC in Dubai, and the federation is keen to understand how his commercial obligations intersect with his potential new role. The FIGC maintains that it cannot and will not negotiate with a manager who remains under contract with another club.
Pirlo’s legal team argues that the Fonbet arrangement is intrinsically linked to his role in the Emirates and that terminating his contract with United FC would automatically dissolve the betting deal. The coach is reportedly keen to speak with Malagò and is working to end his stay in Dubai, aiming to clear the way for concrete talks with the federation.
Despite the administrative delay, FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo remain convinced that Pirlo is the ideal fit for a long-term project. A framework for his contract has already been discussed, and the federation is eager to settle on its next coach due to time constraints. Should Malagò judge Pirlo’s position compatible with the role once the contract issues are resolved, the FIGC is prepared to move quickly.
