Italian football icon Gianni Rivera has declared his readiness to contend for the FIGC presidency. His informal announcement coincides with Gabriele Gravina’s resignation, which followed Italy’s third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Rivera, aged 82 and the first Italian Ballon d’Or winner in 1969, revealed his intentions during an interview on the radio program ‘Caffè’ on Rai Radio 1 Sport.
“I am prepared to lead the FIGC because I possess a meticulously crafted program, developed alongside collaborators, including Angelo Sormani’s son,” Rivera stated. “This model, currently under review and preparation, could prove highly beneficial for the federation.”
Rivera: ‘No Surprise in Italy’s World Cup Qualification Failure’
The former AC Milan icon openly acknowledged the profound challenges confronting Italian football.
“Frankly, Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup should come as no surprise,” he remarked. “Currently, the sport is grappling with severe, deeply rooted issues that we have clearly not managed to resolve.”
Prospective candidates must formally submit their applications by June 7, with the presidential election slated for June 22.
The election for the FIGC presidency is determined by an assembly comprising 516 weighted votes, distributed among the diverse stakeholder groups of Italian football.
The Lega Nazionale Dilettanti commands the largest voting bloc at 34%. Other significant groups include the players’ association (20%), Serie A clubs (18%), coaches (10%), Lega Pro (12%), and Serie B (6%). To secure the presidency, a candidate needs an absolute majority of all valid votes cast, including abstentions.
While Rivera’s candidacy remains unofficial, the entry of such a revered figure in Italian football introduces a compelling dynamic to what is anticipated to be a fiercely contested election aimed at reforming the sport’s governance.