The potential appointment of Andrea Pirlo as the new manager of the Italian national team is facing significant uncertainty due to his sponsorship deal with Russian betting company Fonbet, according to reports in the Italian media. The situation emerged yesterday, causing a delay in what was previously considered a near-complete agreement.
Pirlo, currently managing United FC in Dubai, serves as a global ambassador for Fonbet. While sponsorship deals with betting companies are not inherently problematic, the Russian ownership of Fonbet has raised concerns given the strained political relationship between Italy and Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Several Italian politicians have already voiced their opposition to Pirlo taking the national team role, citing his promotional work for a Russian entity as inappropriate.
Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament, stated that Pirlo had “repeatedly lent his prestige to an operation to normalize the Putin regime,” while Benedetto Della Vedova, a Member of Parliament, suggested Pirlo should consider the public implications of his private business dealings. Mauro Berruto, the Sports representative for the Democratic Party, emphasized the institutional role of the national team manager requires exemplary conduct.
Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina has instructed officials to investigate the nature of Pirlo’s relationship with Fonbet, and also the connections between Fonbet and Sergey Lomakin, the owner of United FC. It has been suggested that Pirlo’s appointment would also serve to increase the visibility of Fonbet through his media appeal. Pirlo signed with United FC on July 24, 2025, and became a global ambassador for Fonbet on October 9th, with his legal team maintaining the ambassador role is linked to his employment with the Dubai-based club.
Pirlo could unilaterally terminate his contract with United FC without penalty, which would also dissolve his obligations to Fonbet. However, the FIGC are taking a cautious approach, examining Pirlo’s past dealings to avoid future embarrassment. Negotiations with United FC regarding the termination of his contract are reportedly already underway. Pirlo is eager to discuss the situation with Gravina, but the FIGC is hesitant to negotiate with someone currently under contract with another club.
Despite the controversy, Maldini and Leonardo, who have been involved in discussions with Pirlo, still view him as the ideal candidate to revitalize the national team, both in the short and long term. Maldini may struggle to understand the political considerations at play, but Gravina’s assessment will be crucial in determining whether the appointment proceeds.
