Italian Football Association Chief Gravina Steps Down Following Failed World Cup Bid

Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina stepped down on Thursday, succumbing to intense political pressure that mounted just two days after Italy's failed bid to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

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This development is likely to pave the way for the exit of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, in a move that could have far-reaching implications for the country's soccer landscape.

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Italy Sports Minister Andrea Abodi had called for a radical overhaul of the country's soccer leadership, emphasizing that a change in leadership at the FIGC was essential to revitalize Italian soccer.

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Abodi's remarks on Wednesday underscored the urgency for reform, as he stated, "It's evident to everyone that Italian soccer needs to be overhauled, and that process needs to start with new leadership at the FIGC."

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The final blow to Italy's World Cup aspirations came on Tuesday, when they lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff that was decided by a penalty shootout.

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Gravina took the reins of the federation in 2018, succeeding Carlo Tavecchio, who had also resigned after Italy's failed World Cup qualification bid that year.

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The defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina marked the latest setback in Italy's recent World Cup struggles, which include eliminations by Sweden and North Macedonia in the qualifying playoffs for the last two tournaments.

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Italy's woes on the world stage date back to 2010 and 2014, when the national team failed to progress beyond the group stage, a dismal run that has continued to haunt the team.

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The Azzurri's last World Cup knockout victory was a memorable one, as they won the title in 2006 by defeating France in the final after a penalty shootout.

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On a more positive note, Gravina did oversee Italy's triumphant European Championship campaign in 2021, a highlight of his tenure as federation president.

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An election has been scheduled for June 22 to select a new president for the FIGC, marking the beginning of a new era for Italian soccer.

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Gravina has also announced that he will attend a parliamentary hearing next Wednesday to discuss the state of Italian soccer, in a move that is likely to shed more light on the country's soccer woes.