Alessandro Del Piero would have to face a formidable foe if he indeed decided to run for the FIGC presidency, as the current holder of the position, Gabriele Gravina, made up his mind and will vie for his third term. He announced it to Corriere della Sera.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, but I pondered it at length. I received some forms of aggression that are unprecedented in a civilized country like Italy, but they didn’t deter me. They did everything to oppose me, but they don’t know me. I have the capability and serenity to carry on and a clean conscience. I didn’t commit any crime, and the judges have determined that I’ve been spied on.”
Gravina is under investigation for self-laundering in an opaque matter, but it might not even go to trial.
“I’ve been tempted to call it quits, but I had a moral obligation toward those that backed me. We need to complete our journey. If I didn’t run, I’d give in to those that want to hurt me. My voters are privy to the situation and asked me to forge ahead.”
Gravina was quizzed about his potential competitor.
“I won’t go into detail about him, but Del Piero was a great champion who gave a lot to football and Italy. I’ve tried to involve him in the Federation, but his other commitments make him travel across the globe. Your name has to be proposed by one of the constituents, and the same goes for him.”
After the Euro 2020 triumph, Gravina has survived not qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and an early elimination from the most recent European Championship.
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