Fabio Capello has delivered a scathing assessment of Italy’s recent World Cup elimination, describing the defeat to Bosnia as a national disgrace and demanding that the entire FIGC leadership accept responsibility and step down.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca after Wednesday night’s penalty shootout defeat, the former England, Milan, and Real Madrid manager did not hold back. “I could not sleep all night; I still cannot believe what happened,” he stated. “We are talking about a four-time world champion. This is a sporting tragedy, a disgrace. It is one of the worst things to have happened to Italian football in its recent history.”
Capello Questions Lack of Accountability After Italy Disaster
Capello’s sharpest criticism was reserved not for the players or coaching staff, but for those at the very top of Italian football administration.
“Nobody is resigning here, and that is the most worrying thing,” he asserted. “The first person who should take responsibility is the president of the federation, along with the entire leadership.”
The 79-year-old was equally clear that the problem extends far beyond a single poor result.
“This is not just about results; it is structural,” he explained. “Italy needs to reinvent itself. We must bring together experts, analyze what is happening, and begin a reconstruction from the foundations. It will be very difficult to recover from this, but I trust it will serve as the beginning of a genuine renewal.”
With FIGC president Gabriele Gravina yet to signal any intention to resign despite mounting pressure, Capello’s remarks add another prominent voice to the growing chorus of calls for significant change within Italian football.