Sports Minister: ‘Not appropriate’ for Italy to take World Cup spot

Italy’s Minister for Sport, Andrea Abodi, asserts that it is neither ‘possible’ nor ‘appropriate’ for the Azzurri to be considered for admission to the World Cup as a replacement for Iran.

Italy’s Sports Minister Abodi insists the Italy national team should not take a World Cup spot after failing to qualify on the pitch.

“I don’t believe it’s possible, nor appropriate,” Abodi said on Wednesday via Gianluca Di Marzio.

As tensions in the Middle East escalated in April, there were concerns about whether Iran would take part in the World Cup staged in the USA, Mexico and Canada, so the Azzurri were mentioned as a possible replacement.

“The rules state that any replacements are made within the same continental confederations,” continued Abodi.

“So, I don’t think we should even consider it. I believe a national team like ours should qualify on the pitch.”

Rumours continued to grow over the last few weeks, especially after Donald Trump’s Special Envoy, Paolo Zampolli, claimed that he had discussed Italy’s possible inclusion in the tournament alongside the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.

Iran, however, are expected to regularly feature in the World Cup, facing New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, taking to the field twice in Los Angeles and once in Seattle.