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Resignation of FIGC President Gabriele Gravina Following Italy's World Cup Failure

Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), stepped down on Thursday after the national team failed to secure a spot in the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

Gravina, who has led the FIGC since 2018, faced pressure from the government to resign following Italy's penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff on Tuesday.

An extraordinary assembly is scheduled for June 22 to elect a new president, while Gravina had previously offered to appear before a parliamentary committee on April 8 to discuss the state of Italian soccer. However, that hearing has now been cancelled pending the election results.

Italy last qualified for the World Cup in 2014 and has only won one match in the finals since claiming the trophy for the fourth time in 2006.

Additionally, former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who heads the national team delegation, announced his resignation via social media.

Gravina was elected without opposition in October 2018, taking over from Carlo Tavecchio, who resigned shortly after Italy did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

“After many years, there is a sense of great bitterness but also great serenity,” Gravina told reporters. “I must thank all the federal components who have shown me great affection and support, insisting that I continue, but my personal choice was made with conviction and careful consideration.”

Although Gravina's tenure included a victory in Euro 2020, it was marred by two failed World Cup qualification campaigns, leading to increasing criticism from the media and political figures in Italy.

Italy's Sports Minister Andrea Abodi characterized the recent failure as a "definitive defeat" and suggested that Italian football requires a complete overhaul.

Gravina acknowledged the calls for his resignation immediately after the loss to Bosnia but stated that evaluations should occur in a proper setting. He communicated his decision to the six federal components—Serie A, B, C, the National Amateur League, the Players' Association, and the Coaches Association—at the FIGC headquarters in Rome.

Having been re-elected in February 2021, Gravina was set to serve until 2028; however, the search for his successor has now begun.

Potential candidates for the position include 67-year-old Giovanni Malago, former head of Italy's Olympic Committee (CONI), and Giancarlo Abete, who previously served as FIGC president from 2007 to 2014.

Buffon Announces Resignation

Buffon, who was part of the 2006 World Cup-winning team, shared on Instagram that he had initially offered his resignation immediately following the defeat to Bosnia but was advised to take some time to think it over.

“With President Gravina stepping back, I feel free to act on what I consider a responsible decision,” Buffon stated. “Although I believe we have fostered a strong spirit and team dynamic, our primary goal was to return Italy to the World Cup, which we did not achieve. It’s only fair to leave the opportunity for future leaders to choose someone they believe can fulfill my role.”

Social Media Backlash

Gravina faced significant backlash for comments made post-defeat, where he remarked on Italy's success in other sports compared to football. He suggested that football is a professional sport, while others are amateur, sparking outrage among many Italian athletes on social media.

Irma Testa, Italy's first female Olympic boxer and a bronze medalist in 2020, expressed on Instagram that “we are the real professionals.” Following this, the FIGC released a statement saying that Gravina regretted how his comments were interpreted.

Gravina clarified that his remarks were meant to highlight the presence of autonomous leagues within certain federations and the corporate nature of professional clubs, which must adhere to national and international regulations.

In light of Gravina and Buffon's resignations, the future of Italy's manager, Gennaro Gattuso, is also uncertain, with his contract expiring in June. Media speculation has linked Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri as possible replacements.