Andrea Pirlo dropped out of the race for the Italy national team coach position due to cooperation with a Russian bookmaker – media

Legendary Italian footballer Andrea Pirlo is no longer a candidate for the head coach position of the Italian national team after criticism over his collaboration with the Russian bookmaker company Fonbet. This is reported by UNN citing The Guardian.

According to the publication, Pirlo's candidacy faced objections among Italian politicians due to his role as a global ambassador for the Russian bookmaker Fonbet. Critics emphasized that the national team coach should not be associated with a company from an aggressor country.

Pirlo himself confirmed that he is no longer a candidate for the head coach position of the national team.

"Last night I learned that I am no longer a candidate for the head coach position of the Italian national team," he wrote on Instagram.

The former footballer also rejected accusations of political support for Russia, explaining that his collaboration with Fonbet is exclusively related to his work in the United Arab Emirates and is of a commercial nature.

"The professional collaboration that has become the subject of recent controversy arose within the scope of my work in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively commercial and sporting in nature. Attributing political significance to this collaboration means ascribing to me beliefs that I have never expressed and that are not inherent to me," Pirlo stated.

He also noted that he regrets that a purely sporting matter quickly turned into a public political discussion.

According to The Guardian, despite support from the technical director of the Italian Football Federation, Paolo Maldini, the controversy surrounding Pirlo's contract with the Russian company effectively deprived him of his chances to lead the national team. Among the main contenders for this position now are Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte.

Recall

Pep Guardiola rejected an offer from the Italian Football Federation due to a desire to dedicate time to his family. Andrea Pirlo was offered to lead the Italian national team for four years.