Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian soccer federation (FIGC), resigned on Thursday following the national team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. His resignation comes after Italy’s defeat on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a recent playoff match.
Gravina, who led the FIGC since 2018, faced pressure from the government to step down after the national team’s disappointing performance. An extraordinary assembly will be held on June 22 to elect a new president. Gravina had previously offered to report on the state of Italian soccer to a parliamentary committee on April 8, although that hearing has now been canceled as the committee awaits the election results.
The Italian national team has not qualified for the World Cup since 2014 and has only one victory in the finals since winning in 2006. Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who has headed the national team delegation, has also announced his resignation via social media.
Gravina was elected unopposed in October 2018, succeeding Carlo Tavecchio, who resigned after Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Reflecting on his time leading the FIGC, Gravina expressed a mix of bitterness and serenity, acknowledging the support he received but ultimately deciding to resign with conviction.
His tenure was marked by Italy’s victorious run in Euro 2020, but it also included two significant failures to qualify for the World Cup. As criticism mounted from both media and political figures, Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi labeled the latest failure a “definitive defeat,” emphasizing the need for a foundational rebuild of Italian football.
Following the loss to Bosnia, Gravina expressed understanding regarding calls for his resignation but insisted that evaluations of his leadership should be conducted in appropriate settings, specifically at the FIGC headquarters. There, he discussed his decision with various representatives from Serie A, B, C, the National Amateur League, the Players’ Association, and the Coaches Association.
Initially elected for a term extending to 2028, Gravina was re-elected in February 2021. Speculation about his successor has begun, with names such as Giovanni Malago, former head of Italy’s Olympic Committee, and Giancarlo Abete, who led the FIGC from 2007 to 2014, being mentioned.
In conjunction with Gravina’s resignation, Gianluigi Buffon, a key figure in Italy’s 2006 World Cup victory, shared his own decision to resign. He stated that while he had initially offered his resignation after the loss, he was encouraged to take time to reflect. With Gravina stepping down, Buffon felt it was responsible to follow suit, acknowledging the team’s objective to return Italy to the World Cup, which ultimately was not achieved.
Gravina’s comments following the defeat drew significant backlash, particularly regarding his comparison of football’s professionalism to the amateur status of other sports. This sparked outrage among athletes, prompting responses on social media. Notably, Irma Testa, who became the first female boxer to represent Italy at the Olympics, articulated her frustration, highlighting the professionalism present in various sports. Gravina later expressed regret regarding the interpretation of his remarks, explaining his intent was to highlight the structural differences in sports governance.
With both Gravina and Buffon stepping down, the future of Italy’s national team manager Gennaro Gattuso is also now uncertain, as his contract expires in June. Media speculation suggests possible replacements could include Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri, intensifying the conversation around Italy’s efforts to rejuvenate its soccer program.