According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, controversy surrounding the eligibility of Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina's candidacy remains ongoing, and there is a possibility that the Italian Football Federation could be taken over by a special commissioner. Currently, approximately two-thirds of the National Executive Board members of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) appear to support Gravina, but many questions remain unresolved, including why Sports Prosecutor Ugo Taucer did not act sooner, and whether Gravina's failure to complete relevant registration truly constitutes a "serious violation" sufficient to trigger a federation takeover.

Now all eyes are on the round table where a moderator and approximately 16 members will gather. The fate of Giovanni Malagò and the Italian Football Federation rests with CONI's National Executive Board, which was elected more than a year ago. CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio leads the board, with two vice presidents: Diana Bianchedi, who also serves as acting president as previously noted in a delegate-general incident, and Marco Di Paola from the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation.

The Executive Board also includes sports managers, athletes, coaches, and representatives from regional committees, local committees, and sports promotion organizations, General Secretary Carlo Mornati, and two members of the International Olympic Committee: Federica Pellegrini and Malagò himself.

Malagò spent 12 years in this position and is very familiar with the people and issues involved. Among those who will ultimately decide whether to appoint a special commissioner to take over the Italian Football Federation due to the eligibility registration issue, he maintains close relationships with many members. Some could even be called friendships. However, just two days ago, Malagò himself, referring particularly to Buonfiglio, stated: "I am being attacked by friendly forces."

Rather than dwell on these relationships, let us return to the substance of this highly complex issue. Currently, approximately two-thirds of Executive Board members appear to be on Malagò's side. It should be noted that the possibility of appointing a special commissioner to take over the Italian Football Federation stems from a previous letter sent by Sports Prosecutor Ugo Taucer to CONI, which stated that the Italian Football Federation violated CONI's fundamental principles, which may constitute a "serious violation of sports governance as confirmed by the regulatory body of the sports organization," as stated in relevant regulations, and this is one of the conditions for the special takeover of a sports association.

Many Questions Remain

Setting aside personal relationships, many Executive Board members believe that the repeated interpretation of registration rules—particularly Article 29, Paragraph 1 of the Italian Football Federation statutes—made by Federation Sports Prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè should not be dismissed. More importantly, they also recognize that Taucer believes candidates must have the relevant registration status to qualify for nomination and election. The purpose of this registration status is to ensure that someone genuinely belongs to the field they wish to represent.

However, in the case of the Italian Football Federation, this sense of belonging has largely been ensured by the candidate registration requirements. Candidates must obtain formal support from at least 50% plus one member of the constituent body when filing their application.

There Is Also a Matter of Common Sense Here

Even if we assume that Marco Brunelli, General Secretary of the Italian Football Federation, made an error in confirming Malagò's eligibility because he did not clearly state the interpretation of these regulations adopted by the Federation—an interpretation that has long been accepted internally by the Federation, with at least two previous precedents, including the case of the Lombardy Committee of the National Amateur Football League in 2021—would it be an overreaction to impose a special takeover of the entire Italian Football Federation merely for this reason?

Is this violation truly "serious" as required by CONI's statutes for a special takeover?

Why Was No Action Taken Earlier?

Many people have another question: why did no one take action sooner? Or more precisely, why were no objections filed against Malagò's candidacy within seven days of its announcement, as prescribed by CONI's statutes?

Excluded candidates can file objections, as can eligible candidates. The Italian Football Federation's prosecutor's office also has the right to file objections. Chinè's delay is understandable, as he consistently maintained throughout the incident that, in his view, approving Malagò's candidacy was correct.

But the issue lies with Taucer. Taucer subsequently wrote a strongly worded report against the Italian Football Federation and argued that the relevant registration status was clearly required. So why did he not take over the objection procedure himself at that time?

Had he done so then, the matter could have been resolved within the specified period, and no one would have had the opportunity to suggest that this incident was being used as some sort of tool, as is happening today.

Executive Board Members Are Under Pressure

It is clear that CONI Executive Board members are now feeling pressure, and the situation still has the potential to change. Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has stated from the outset that he is a "careful observer" of the matter, while emphasizing: "Everyone knows the sports rules, regardless of how much room for interpretation exists within these rules."

Additionally, lawyer Renato Miele has issued a formal warning letter. Miele's previous exclusion from the Italian Football Federation's presidential election triggered this entire incident. In his letter, he reminds those who will decide Malagò's fate that they are "people entrusted with a public service duty."

Therefore, tension is clearly mounting ahead of the potential vote.

Final Decision Likely in Early October

So when will this important Executive Board meeting regarding the possible appointment of a special commissioner to take over the Italian Football Federation actually take place? Buonfiglio has tasked a team of "leading legal experts" to conduct an in-depth study of the entire matter.

These legal experts appear to have already begun their work. As Buonfiglio himself stated at Tuesday's Executive Board meeting: "I hope to be able to report the results of the in-depth legal study as soon as possible."

Current information suggests that all decisions will likely be made in the first week of October, possibly after the Italian national team completes its final Nations League match against Turkey on October 5. However, emotions can escalate quickly in the week before the official meeting, starting from when the meeting notice is issued. Of course, everyone hopes that the Italian national team will not be distracted by this and can focus on their matches.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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