Malagò: ‘Italian football is fossilised, EURO 2032 a challenge’

New FIGC President Giovanni Malagò warns getting five stadiums ready to host EURO 2032 is ‘a challenge within a challenge,’ and Italian football cannot remain ‘fossilised’ by lack of reforms.

The former President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) was elected today with 68.58 per cent of the vote, comfortably beating the other candidate, current Lega Nazionale Dilettanti President Giancarlo Abete.

He held a lengthy press conference after the election in Rome, where he touched upon other matters including the choice of a new Italy coach.

Malagò replaces Gabriele Gravina, who resigned after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive edition of the World Cup, losing the play-offs on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“If it weren’t for a penalty, I wouldn’t be here now,” pointed out Malagò.

“It is incredible that Gravina was re-elected a year ago practically by unanimous consent, and yet he was unable to push through any of the proposed reforms.

“Objectively, the situation is completely fossilised. I will continue to defend the autonomy of sport, but if we don’t manage to change our ways, then someone will have to put us into a position to change. It is very simple.”

This is a reference to the possibility that the CONI or even the Government could appoint a special commissioner to force through reforms, if the various components of the Federation cannot vote anything through.

Malagò was chosen largely due to his experience in organising major international events in Italy, including the volleyball and swimming world championships, culminating in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

He will need this when trying to help clubs build new stadiums and training facilities, as the situation is increasingly difficult for Italy to find five stadiums ready for EURO 2032.

They are co-hosting the competition with Turkiye, but even getting five stadiums ready is proving tough.

“EURO 2032 is a challenge within a challenge. I spoke to (UEFA President Aleksandar) Ceferin over the last few days, and already received messages from (FIFA President Gianni) Infantino.

“Michele Uva is our organisational figure with UEFA, we’ve got to identify these five stadiums,” added Malagò.

The discussion with the political class could also involve the push to give passports to players who were born or at least largely raised in Italy, even if they don’t have Italian blood.

“I was shocked that over 40 per cent of the players at the World Cup this summer are not representing the country where they were born. I am in favour of birth citizenship, because so many football federations have benefited from those rules.

“In football, you don’t get this limbo, if you wait then another country will come along and take the player because he can’t wait for a passport. It’s unacceptable.”

Where Italian citizenship is a problem is the youth academies, and Malagò explains the basic problem facing clubs.

“If you buy an Italian player in Italy, the club pays 22 per cent VAT on the transfer. If you get him abroad, then you don’t. Tell me, is that normal?”