Italy’s hosting of Euro 2032 could be withdrawn if a political commissioner is placed in charge of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has reportedly warned.
La Gazzetta dello Sport, cited by Il Napolista, says Ceferin made UEFA’s position clear in recent days: political interference in the federation could cost Italy the tournament, as happened to Greece.
However, UEFA’s concern is not necessarily linked to the validity of Giovanni Malago’s election. If the election is declared invalid and the FIGC returns to the ballot box for an immediate fresh vote, there would be no issue, according to the report.
The situation would change if Malago were replaced by a government-appointed commissioner instead of being followed by another election. That move would risk triggering consequences for Italy’s Euro 2032 hosting rights.
The dispute centres on Malago’s registration, which has become the subject of a procedural challenge. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the issue is regarded as absurd in Nyon, UEFA’s headquarters, because Malago won the election comfortably with the support of almost every section of the federation.
No irregularities were reported by observers during the vote, according to the newspaper.
Political dispute threatens tournament plans
La Gazzetta dello Sport also reports that Ceferin and Malago do not have a close relationship, and that the UEFA president would have preferred the FIGC to continue under Gabriele Gravina.
Despite that, the newspaper argues there is no clear reason for political intervention. The federation’s finances are said to be in order, while no administrative irregularities or scandals have been identified.
The consequences of losing Euro 2032 would extend beyond the cancellation of the tournament’s Italian hosting role. It would also remove what is regarded as Italy’s strongest incentive to modernise its stadiums.
Italy’s stadium infrastructure is already considered to be significantly behind that of much of the rest of Europe. Hosting the European Championship had been expected to provide the impetus for improvements to venues and facilities.
The CONI board is due to vote on Tuesday, with the outcome potentially determining whether the FIGC remains under its current structure or faces further intervention.
UEFA’s position, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, is that any dispute over Malago’s election should be resolved through a new vote rather than by installing a political commissioner.
