In a candid interview with Corriere dello Sport, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina discussed the impending changes in Italian football and his potential re-election.
Regarding his candidacy, Gravina stated, “I will make my decision in a few days, but not alone. I’ll do it with the components of Italian football. A federation leader cannot nominate himself without verifying the consensus around his ability to represent leadership for the movement.”
Gravina praised the recent statute modifications, calling them “an important signal.” He added, “But it concerned the rules. Now the verification shifts to leadership.”
Discussing Serie A, he noted that the abstentions in recent votes prove that most clubs understand the effort made to enhance the league’s importance.
The FIGC president described the upcoming changes as “a revolution,” explaining, “We must prepare to change, becoming both more autonomous and more responsible. It means, for example, that the leagues’ autonomy in organizing championships becomes complete and no longer delegated by FIGC.”
Gravina envisions FIGC as “a guarantee and coordination body,” relinquishing direct management. He emphasized, “It means, for example, that norms specifically regarding Serie A are issued only in agreement with the same league.”
Addressing recent conflicts, Gravina said, “The truth is that, in these months of confrontation, despite significant openings from the Federation, something more was always claimed by President Casini, sometimes going beyond reasonableness.”
He warned against professional football gaining too much power over amateur levels, stating, “If the few end up counting more than the many, football would no longer be the symbol of subsidiarity and self-government of sportspeople, but only the jungle of the strongest.”
Gravina concluded by alluding to recent personal attacks, saying, “I’m referring to a way of conducting federal politics outside any fair play code. Where the opponent can become the target of infamy, even with the complicity of some communication operators. We risked transforming our community into a jungle of suspicion and poison… The judiciary will shed full light, but the bitterness and the need to be vigilant remain. Because what we have seen and endured should never happen again.”
