The extraordinary assembly to modify the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) statute opened with a harsh speech from President Gabriele Gravina. As expected, Gravina stood firm on his proposal, which was deposited last Wednesday and put to a vote.
Gravina began by addressing the assembly: “Each of you is called to express your opinion through an open vote on a reform proposal that intends to renew the federal pact, based on respect and responsibility. Without these two valuable characteristics, there can be no true democracy. Rather, it’s a repeated and unacceptable attempt at prevarication of the strong over the weak and the aggressive over the mild. Faced with these alternatives, I will always be on the side of those who want to speak and explain themselves, those who prefer content to simple slogans, and those who reject arrogance on principle, with conviction.”
He then launched into a scathing critique: “In recent weeks, if not months, unfortunately, this has not happened, we must be honest. We have witnessed meetings – official and unofficial – in which the language, if not the concepts expressed, was not inspired by any kind of fair play. Worse has happened: an opponent on the field, albeit in federal politics, has become the target of infamy and dossier-building, but let’s give time to time, because the competent bodies will soon express themselves on these. Well, I do not recognize myself in this way of doing things, indeed I am ashamed for those who act like this, as their goal is not to establish relationships based on trust where there is open and crystal-clear communication.”
Lorenzo Casini, President of Serie A, then spoke, addressing the changes proposed by Gravina. He requested that autonomy be recognized for “what concerns Serie A and not ‘exclusively’ Serie A,” and claimed a greater number of councilors and assembly representation for Serie A.
Gravina responded: “The war against Serie A? The minutes of the Federal Councils count, not what is said afterwards. As for the possibility of removing the word ‘exclusively’ from the proposal on autonomy regarding Serie A, it is absolutely unacceptable. In that way, Serie A could decide on everything.”
The vote proceeded with 253 accredited delegates out of 283 eligible voters, totaling 461.69 votes out of 516. Gravina’s proposal – voted on article by article – obtained a large majority. However, Serie A consistently avoided expressing a favorable vote with all its delegates (with only one preference for the article removing representation from the Italian Referees Association): 8 votes against and 12 abstentions.
