According to multiple reports in the Italian media, Andrea Pirlo has confirmed he is no longer a candidate to become the next head coach of the Italy national team.
The decision follows controversy surrounding his role as a global ambassador for Russian operator Fonbet, with La Gazzetta dello Sport giving the story front-page coverage. The Italian Football Federation is reportedly no longer pursuing his appointment.
Pirlo addressed the controversy on Instagram, writing: "The professional collaboration that is at the centre of the recent controversy began during my time working in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively commercial and sporting in nature. Attributing political meaning to this collaboration means suggesting that I hold views that I have never expressed and do not share."
Over the weekend, it emerged that Pirlo had been serving as a global brand ambassador for Fonbet. Given Italy’s strict gambling advertising laws, the partnership made his appointment as Italy’s next head coach increasingly unlikely.
Pirlo also faced legal threats from Codacons, an Italian consumer protection agency, which warned it could take action to block his appointment because of his links to the Russian betting company.
Codacons said: "As is well known, Pirlo is an ambassador for a Russian betting site, also making content in Italy via his social media channels and other activities as a former player, advertising gambling in full violation of Article 9 of the Dignity Decree, which bans any form of advertising, sponsorship or promotion of gambling with cash winnings."
The 47-year-old is currently under contract with Dubai-based top-flight club United FC. According to local media reports, the main concern is not necessarily Pirlo’s commercial relationship with the betting company, as such an agreement could potentially be terminated, but rather Fonbet’s Russian origins amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Italy’s support for Ukraine.
Pirlo reiterated his position on Instagram, insisting that his partnership with Fonbet was purely commercial and had no political significance.
Italy recently added Polymarket to ADM’s list of blocked gambling operators
