Pirlo Withdraws from Italy Coaching Race as Russian Betting Ties Spark Outcry

Thu Sep 24 2026 00:47:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Andrea Pirlo steps back from the Italy head coach bid after backlash over his role with Russian betting firm Fonbet.

Former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is no longer a contender for the national team coaching position after Italian politicians and the public questioned his ties to Russian betting company Fonbet. His global ambassador role for the firm, which sponsors pro‑Kremlin events, sparked criticism and calls for a national ethics overhaul. Pirlo defended himself on Instagram, insisting his activities were strictly commercial and sporting. Meanwhile, the FIGC’s new technical director Paolo Maldini faces potential resignation amid mounting pressure. Italy’s search for a new coach now continues among a group of high‑profile candidates including Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini.

Andrea Pirlo, the former Italy midfield maestro, confirmed that he is no longer a candidate to lead the Azzurri squad following a wave of criticism over his association with Russian betting firm Fonbet.
Although the Japanese Football Federation (FIGC) had treated their appointment as almost certain, political commentary in Italy and social media backlash forced him to step back.

The controversy stems from Pirlo’s 2020 role as a global ambassador for Fonbet, a company that has sponsored sporting events linked to veterans of Russia’s war in Ukraine and staged appearances involving pro‑Kremlin figures. In a recent Instagram post, Pirlo described the debate as “birit‑less” and stressed that his work with the Dubai club United FC was purely commercial and sports‑centric, not political.

Leading Italian politicians, including Azione’s Carlo Calenda, demanded that anyone who has promoted Russia since 2022 should not serve in a national sporting office. Mid‑level European Parliament vice‑president Pina Picierno also slammed Pirlo’s choice as misaligned with Italy’s ethical revolution in football.

In contrast, the Russian ambassador to Italy, Aleksey Paramonov, publicly expressed his disappointment, calling Pirlo a “saddening” figure who has nonetheless contributed to Italy’s reputation worldwide.

Earlier this spring Pirlo’s presence at a Fonbet‑organised match in Moscow, where he and former teammate Marco Materazzi signed autographs, added fuel to the controversy. The event, which included nationalist pop star Shaman and Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba, occurred on a day of a major Russian attack on Ukraine – a coincidence that drew criticism from Ukrainian skeleton skater Vladyslav Heraskevych.

In Italy’s already fragile football environment, the FIGC’s technical director Paolo Maldini – appointed only in July – faces the possibility of resignation. The federation, now reassessing its coaching pool, continues to weigh options that range from Pep Guardiola to Roberto Mancini, who previously led Italy to Euro 2020.

As the search moves forward, Italy’s football community remains in press for a leader who can steer the national side through the Nations League and secure a place at Euro 2028 without the politics that surround Pirlo’s earlier endorsement of a Russian betting firm.