Sports
Gravina steps down as Italy Football Chief following World Cup exit
Gabriele Gravina has stepped down as president of Italy’s football federation following mounting political pressure, just days after the national team’s failure to qualify for another World Cup.
The resignation comes barely 48 hours after the Azzurri missed out on a third consecutive appearance at the global tournament, deepening concerns over the state of football in the country.
Gravina’s exit is expected to trigger further changes within the national setup, with Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso likely to leave his role as part of a wider overhaul.
Reacting to the development, Italy’s Sports Minister, Andrea Abodi, called for a major shake-up in the leadership of the game, stressing the need for urgent reforms after back-to-back disappointing qualifying campaigns under Gravina’s watch.
The crisis has intensified scrutiny on the federation, with many calling for a fresh direction to restore Italy’s standing in international football.
“It’s evident to everyone that Italian soccer needs to be overhauled,” Abodi said on Wednesday, “and that process needs to start with new leadership at the FIGC (federation).”
Italy’s hopes of reaching this year’s tournament in North America ended on Tuesday following a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff.
Gravina assumed control of the federation in 2018, replacing Carlo Tavecchio, who also resigned after Italy failed to reach that year’s World Cup.
The defeat to Bosnia added to Italy’s recent World Cup woes, following eliminations by Sweden and North Macedonia in the qualifying playoffs for the last two tournaments.
Italy’s struggles on the world stage stretch back to 2010 and 2014, when the national team failed to advance from the group stage.
The Azzurri’s last World Cup knockout victory came in 2006, when they won the title by beating France in the final after a penalty shootout.
Gravina did, however, oversee Italy’s European Championship triumph in 2021.
An election has been scheduled for June 22 to select a new FIGC president.
Gravina also announced that he will attend a hearing in Italy’s parliament next Wednesday to discuss “the wellbeing of Italian soccer.
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