Pirlo out of Italy football top job after backlash over Russian betting firm links
Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn his candidacy for the Italian national football team head coach position following public backlash. Critics cited his role as a global ambassador for a Russian betting firm as incompatible with the ethical standards required for a national office.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the intersection of sports management, international politics, and the ethical scrutiny of commercial partnerships involving Russia.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Andrea Pirlo is currently the head coach of the UAE's Dubai United
Andrea Pirlo has said he is no longer a candidate to coach the Italian national side following days of controversy over his ties to a Russian betting company.
His appointment as Italy's next head coach had not been confirmed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) yet was being treated as all but certain.
But over the weekend several Italian politicians criticised the FIGC's choice, noting that Pirlo, 47, had taken up a role as global ambassador for Russia's Fonbet last October.
The betting company has sponsored several sporting events involving veterans of Moscow's war in Ukraine and has organised events in Russia at which Pirlo appeared alongside pro-Kremlin figures.
"Anyone who is or has been promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office," said Carlo Calenda of the centrist Azione party.
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