Andrei Pirlo Out of Italy National Team Coach Race Due to Russian Betting Company Ties

Rome. Former footballer Andrei Pirlo has been out of the race for the main coach of the Italian national team after being embroiled in controversy due to his relationship with a Russian betting company. 

Although the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has not officially confirmed it, his appointment was considered almost certain.

It was found that the company sponsored sports activities related to former soldiers from Moscow involved in the Ukraine invasion, and organized events attended by Pirlo alongside Kremlin supporters. The situation worsened after Italian politicians criticized this issue. 

Pirlo started working as the global brand ambassador for the Russian betting company Funbet last October. With this controversy, Italian football has fallen into further crisis. 

FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo have decided to resign. They were given the responsibility to restructure the team and find a new coach after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

Pirlo confirmed on social media platform Instagram that he is not in the race for the main coach. 'I am saddened by the debates surrounding my name,' he said, 'The professional collaboration with United FC of Dubai was purely business and sports-related.' He claimed that attempts were being made to impose views he never held by giving it political meaning.

Italian politicians have argued that a person promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold a national position. On the other hand, the Russian ambassador in Rome, Alexey Paramonov, supported Pirlo, stating that it was sad for him to be boycotted in his own country.

Earlier, Pirlo and former teammate Marco Materazzi had participated in a Funbet event held in Moscow. On the same day, Ukrainian player Vladislav Heraskevych criticized Pirlo, citing Russia's major invasion of Ukraine.

After failing to qualify for the World Cup by losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in April, coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned. After that, although offers were made to Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, they were not ready. Currently, discussions are ongoing for the coach of Italy with Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini.