Bomb in sight. Italy has the Euro2032 at risk... even though it is organized

O president of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin, gave an extensive interview to this Sunday's edition of the transalpine newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, in which he ensured that he is following with particular attention the controversy surrounding the election of Giovanni Malagò to the presidency of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

“ Without going into legal interpretations, I would like to remind you that this is not the first time we have talked about the issue of external interference in the activities of federations. FIFA and UEFA have always clearly insisted on the autonomy of the federations. I hope that the competent bodies will reach a decision as soon as possible in accordance with the rules of sports planning”, he said.

“We do not intend to anticipate the decisions of the institutions, but the independence of the federations and the respect for the will of their members are fundamental principles of the statutes of UEFA and FIFA, and we hope they will be respected. We trust that Italian sports institutions can find a solution in line with these principles, in the interest of Italian and international football”, he continued.

Asked whether this case could cost Italy a seat in the 2032 European Championship (proves that the country itself will organise, together with Turkey, the maximum leader of the football organization of the Old Continent refused to commit: “I have no intention of commenting on hypothetical scenarios. No decision has yet been made.”.

“ I would just say that, as a co-organizer, Italy has a particular responsibility. That is precisely why it is important to preserve the independence of sports institutions. Any form of political interference could undermine the trust of UEFA and other partners, something that would not be in the interest of either Italian football or tournament”, he added.

What about Giovanni Malagò and FIGC?

Giovanni Malagò was elected, last June, president of the FIGC, following the resignation of Gabriele Gravina, who did not resist the failure in the discharge for the third consecutive World Championship, caused by the defeat suffered before Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the match for major penalties, at the end of the playoffs.

The vice president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) took the best over Renato Miele, former player of Lazio, who, however, did not heed the decision willingly, in such a way that he advanced with a request to challenge the suffrage, alleging irregularities in the documents submitted by the opponent when he presented himself as a candidate.

The case has merited a thorough analysis by the Italian Government itself, led by Giorgia Meloni, who does not rule out the possibility of putting the body under special administration in an attempt to impose reforms which he considers essential, the result of the successive bad sporting results that have been presented.

A scenario which, if confirmed, would be a clear violation of the UEFA regulations, which prohibit any kind of political interference in the Member States. The penalties provided for are ‘heavy’, and could even pass by withdrawing Italy from the 2032 European Championship, despite the role as host.