Soccer legend no longer becoming Italy coach over link to Russian betting company
Italian soccer legend Andrea Pirlo will no longer become the federation’s men’s national team coach due to his betting links.Pirlo, who earned 116 caps for Italy and won the World Cup in 2006, was set to lead the Azzurri after talks with Pep Guardiola over the role broke down.But the federation performed a U-turn over Pirlo’s candidacy due to his role as a global ambassador for Russian bookmaker Fonbet.Those ties led to reported objections from federation officials, and have also resulted in the departures of two executives who took jobs with the Italy set-up just over two weeks ago.Paolo Maldini, a legendary defender who was a teammate of Pirlo’s at AC Milan and Italy, has reportedly quit his role as technical director.Leonardo, a former player for Brazil, has also quit his role as an advisor.Pirlo, who is currently the coach of Dubai United in the United Arab Emirates, looked set to become Italy’s coach despite mostly unfruitful stints with Juventus and Sampdoria in recent years.However, Italian federation president Giovanni Malagò — as well as Italian politicians — were reportedly opposed to the move.Pirlo, following his offer being pulled, said the Fonbet role was connected to his job with Dubai United, and is “exclusively for commercial and sports” purposes.“To assign a political meaning to that collaboration is to attribute to me beliefs that I have never expressed and that do not belong to me,” he said on social media.Pirlo’s ties to Russia were believed to be considered problematic amid the country’s conflict with Ukraine, and Italy’s support for the latter.He added that the recent discussion surrounding him has caused “great bitterness” in him.“Throughout my career, first as a player and now as a coach, I have always carried out my work in full compliance with the laws of the countries where I have worked and with the contracts I have signed,” he added.Italian football is in crisis mode after missing its third consecu...