Giovanni Malagò’s position as President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is under scrutiny, with reports suggesting he may be removed due to an election irregularity. This development could pave the way for Adriano Galliani, the former CEO of Milan and Monza, to take over the leadership of Italian football.
The controversy stems from the June election, which Malagò won by a landslide. However, an appeal by a lawyer claims the election could be voided because Malagò was not a registered member of the FIGC at the time. Malagò had previously served as President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), which oversees all sports in Italy.
Leadership Uncertainty at FIGC
It is increasingly likely that Malagò will be compelled to step down, leading to the FIGC being placed under a special commissioner. This commissioner would then be tasked with organising a new election. A special commissioner is anticipated to be confirmed between October 6 and 10, following the upcoming international break.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has voiced his support for Malagò, dismissing the issue as a mere technicality. De Laurentiis stated, “Malagò is the only one capable of getting Italian football back on track, but they want to bring him down because someone else is targeting his spot.”
Galliani Emerges as Potential Successor
In anticipation of Malagò’s potential departure, several Serie A clubs are reportedly considering Adriano Galliani as a suitable replacement. The 82-year-old is a well-known figure in Italian football, having served as a key executive for four decades alongside Silvio Berlusconi at both Milan and Monza. He is currently a senator for the Forza Italia party.
The proposal suggests Galliani could lead the Federation through a transitional period of approximately two years, after which new elections would be held. While Malagò could potentially register with the FIGC and run for election again, he might not secure the full backing of all Serie A clubs this time. Reports indicate that clubs such as Inter, Juventus, Roma, and Atalanta are not entirely convinced by his initial months in charge.