According to reports, Andrea Pirlo has emerged as a primary candidate to take charge of the Italy national team after Pep Guardiola declined the role.
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Subscribe Sekarang →However, the former midfielder's prospective appointment is currently threatened by severe political and ethical concerns regarding his current employers.
Pirlo is under contract with United FC in the United Arab Emirates, a club owned by Russian billionaire Sergei Lomakine, who also holds stakes in sports betting firm Fonbet where Pirlo serves as an ambassador.
Based on statements from Democratic Party member Mauro Berruto, these ties make his candidacy for the Azzurri bench completely incompatible due to the "aggravating factor" of Russian affiliations.
Back in May, Pirlo traveled to Moscow alongside Marco Materazzi for an event hosted by the Russian football federation while deadly missile attacks struck Kyiv.
The Italian icon was heavily criticized after posing alongside Artem Dzyuba, a vocal supporter of Vladimir Putin, sparking widespread outrage across Italy and Europe.