Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn as the front-runner for Italy's national football coach job after days of political backlash over his links to Russian betting firm Fonbet. Although the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) had not formally confirmed his appointment, it had been widely expected, but criticism from senior Italian and European politicians over his role as a Fonbet ambassador forced him out of contention. The row matters because it highlights ongoing sensitivity in Italy and Europe over public figures maintaining commercial ties to Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, and it has thrown the FIGC's coaching search, and possibly the tenure of new technical director Paolo Maldini, into disarray.

Pirlo, 47, became Fonbet's global ambassador last October; the firm has sponsored events involving veterans of Russia's war and hosted gatherings where Pirlo appeared alongside pro-Kremlin figures, including a Moscow event last spring attended by nationalist singer Shaman and Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba. Politicians including Carlo Calenda and European Parliament vice-president Pina Picierno condemned the proposed appointment, while Russia's ambassador to Rome defended Pirlo. In an Instagram post, Pirlo said his collaborations were purely commercial and sporting, denying any political intent. Maldini, in post only since 11 July, must now find a coach to lead Italy through a Nations League group featuring France, Belgium and Turkey and an attempt to qualify for Euro 2028, following the team's failure to reach the World Cup after defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina in April.