Andrea Pirlo's Italy Manager Bid Derailed by Betting Controversy
WHO:
Daily Mail Sports - Andrea Pirlo stated, "Over the last few days, I have followed with great bitterness the debate that has arisen with regard to my name and the possibility of taking on the role of head coach of the Italian national team."
NY Post - Aleksey Paramonov, the Russian ambassador in Rome, expressed support for Pirlo, stating it was "saddening" that he is being ostracized in Italy.
Fox Sports - Paolo Maldini, the federation's technical director, and his adviser Leonardo resigned just 16 days into Maldini's new role.
Fox Sports - Gennaro Gattuso left as Italy’s coach by mutual consent in April after a defeat in a qualifying match.
Fox Sports - Paolo Maldini, the federation's technical director, and his adviser Leonardo handed their resignations to federation president Giovanni Malago just 16 days into his new job.
NY Post - Andrea Pirlo earned 116 caps for Italy and won the World Cup in 2006.
BBC - Aleksey Paramonov, Russian ambassador in Rome
Sportskeeda - Andrea Pirlo, Italy Football Federation
BBC News - Andrea Pirlo, Italian Football Federation
Daily Mail Sports - Andrea Pirlo, Paolo Maldini
WHAT:
BBC - The Italian Football Federation's decision to withdraw from appointing Pirlo as manager has thrown the organization into further disarray.
The New York Times - The Italian national team has not qualified for the World Cup for three consecutive editions.
Fox Sports - The Italian Football Federation is facing a crisis following Italy's third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Fox Sports - Andrea Pirlo stated that his sponsorship deal with Fonbet is "exclusively for commercial and sports" purposes.
Fox Sports - Pirlo confirmed he is no longer a candidate for the Italy national team job in an Instagram post, stating he "heard last night" about the decision.
Fox Sports - Pirlo was at best a third choice for the managerial position after Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti turned down offers.
NY Post - Pirlo was set to lead the Azzurri after talks with Pep Guardiola over the role broke down.
BBC - The Italian Football Federation is facing disarray following Italy's third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Sportskeeda - The Italy Football Federation has pulled out of a deal to appoint Andrea Pirlo as the team's next head coach.
BBC News - Andrea Pirlo is out of the running for the Italy football top job due to backlash over his links with a Russian betting firm.
Daily Mail Sports - Andrea Pirlo has been blocked from becoming Italy's manager after concerns were raised regarding his sponsorship deal with a Russian betting company.
WHERE:
BBC News - Italy
WHY:
Fox Sports - Several Italian politicians raised concerns about Pirlo’s contract with Fonbet, stating that the national team coach should not have conflicting views.
BBC - Aleksey Paramonov stated it was "saddening" to note that, "despite [Pirlo's] extraordinary contribution to world sport and to Italy's image around the world, in your own country, you are now being ostracized."
BBC - Aleksey Paramonov stated it was "saddening" that Pirlo is being ostracized in Italy despite his contributions to world sport and Italy's image globally.
Sportskeeda - The decision was influenced by Pirlo's links with the Russian betting brand Fonbet.
Daily Mail Sports - 'Political' concerns were raised over Pirlo's association with the Russian betting firm.
HOW:
The New York Times - The controversy surrounding Pirlo's potential appointment has been described as self-inflicted, leading to a significant backlash against the Italian Football Federation's new executive team.
Fox Sports - The decision to block Pirlo's appointment was influenced by political concerns raised over his sponsorship deal with Fonbet.
Fox Sports - The decision to block Pirlo's appointment was influenced by the political concerns raised over his sponsorship deal.
Daily Mail Sports - The decision to block Pirlo's appointment was made following the uproar regarding his sponsorship deal.
Andrea Pirlo has expressed his disappointment over the ongoing debate regarding his potential role as head coach of the Italian national team, stating that he has followed the situation with great bitterness. Meanwhile, Aleksey Paramonov, the Russian ambassador in Rome, voiced his support for Pirlo, calling it "saddening" that the former player is facing ostracism in Italy. The Italian Football Federation's decision to withdraw from appointing Pirlo has only added to the turmoil, as the national team has now failed to qualify for the World Cup for three consecutive editions.