Abodi: 'Pirlo situation speaks for itself, have to make up for the bad impression'

Italian Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Italy national team and the non-appointment of Andrea Pirlo as its head coach, insisting that the federation now has to ‘make up’ for the bad impression that it has made.

Abodi comments on Pirlo chaos: ‘Have to make up for the bad impression’

On Monday, Pirlo confirmed himself  that he is no longer in the running to take over as the next head coach of the Italy national team . The former Juventus and Milan midfielder had emerged as the frontrunner after the FIGC learned that neither Pep Guardiola nor Carlo Ancelotti would be taking the job.

However, Pirlo’s candidacy was cast under doubt after it was revealed that he was the global ambassador for the Russian betting company Fonbet, which presented several moral, legal and political issues.

Pirlo’s appointment as head coach of the Italy national team has since been ‘blocked’ and there have been suggestions that FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini, who was only appointed 15 days ago, could resign over the matter.

Newspapers in Italy have described the situation as ‘total chaos’, and Minister for Sport Abodi says that it is now down to the FIGC to ‘make up for the bad impression’ that it has made.

ROME, ITALY – JUNE 03: Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi attends during the 1st SS Lazio conference: bullying and cyberbullying in schools and sports at the Olimpic stadium on June 03, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“The news speaks for itself,” said Abodi while discussing the Pirlo situation with reporters on Monday (via

La Gazzetta dello Sport

).

“It’s a situation we would have liked to have changed with timeliness and with a statement of intent, which did not happen. Now we have to make up for the bad impression”

Monitor for FIGC action or club statement following Abodi's criticism; the club employing Pirlo may face sanctions or forced changes that affect near-term match outcomes.