Malagò Orders Review of Fonbet Links
Andrea Pirlo’s widely expected appointment as Italy head coach has stalled after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) paused to scrutinise his commercial connections to Russian bookmaker Fonbet. Federation president Giovanni Malagò has ordered a review of the former midfielder’s promotional work for the betting company before committing to the appointment.
Pirlo currently serves as a global ambassador for Fonbet, a role that recently included travel to Moscow for a corporate event. While betting affiliations are already off-limits for registered figures within Italian football, the primary concern centres on the brand’s Russian ownership. Diplomatic relations between Rome and Moscow remain strained following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, rendering the association politically problematic for a prospective national team manager.
Dubai Club Ties Complicate Exit
The situation is further entangled with Pirlo’s employment at United FC. The Dubai-based club is owned by Sergey Lomakin, who holds significant financial interests in Fonbet. Pirlo’s legal team maintains that his Fonbet arrangement is strictly linked to his position in the Emirates and would terminate automatically upon ending his United FC contract.
The 2006 World Cup winner is reportedly working to secure his release from the Dubai club specifically to facilitate negotiations with the FIGC. The federation maintains a strict policy against engaging managers who remain under contract elsewhere, meaning Pirlo must resolve his United FC situation before substantive talks can advance.
Maldini and Leonardo Maintain Support
Despite these external complications, Pirlo retains influential backing inside the federation. Technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo continue to champion him as the ideal candidate to lead a long-term project with the Azzurri. Frameworks for a potential contract have already been discussed, and the federation is prepared to move swiftly should Malagò clear the regulatory hurdles.
Time is pressing for the FIGC to appoint a new commissario tecnico. Pirlo’s candidacy now hinges on whether he can sever his Russian betting ties and Dubai contract sufficiently to satisfy the federation’s ethical and contractual requirements.