Trending 
The head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, resigned on Thursday following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive tournament.
Gravina, 72, announced his decision after a meeting at the FIGC headquarters in Rome, a day after Sports Minister Andrea Abodi called on him to step down.
Italy were eliminated in the play-offs on Tuesday, losing a penalty shoot-out against Bosnia and Herzegovina, missing the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The FIGC confirmed a vote to elect a new president will take place on 22 June, with former Italian Olympic Committee chief Giovanni Malagò among the potential candidates.
Gravina’s resignation could also prompt the departure of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, as it was the federation president who had requested that he remain beyond his current contract, which expires this summer.
Abodi stated: “It’s clear that Italian football needs to be rebuilt from the ground up and that starts with changes at the top of the FIGC.” Gravina had previously criticised politicians for focusing solely on resignations, while acknowledging that Italian football “is in a profound crisis.”
Gravina became FIGC president in October 2018, succeeding Carlo Tavecchio. His tenure included Italy’s triumph at Euro 2020 under Roberto Mancini, but two subsequent World Cup qualification failures and a disappointing European title defence left him with little choice but to step down.
Italy’s football struggles also contrast with its success in other sports, including a record 30 medals at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and 40 medals at the 2024 Paris Summer Games. Tennis star Jannik Sinner has also emerged as a top performer.
Gravina previously sparked controversy by labelling other sports as “amateur” and “state sports” because many Olympians are affiliated with the military or police.
