Gabriele Gravina, the president of the FIGC (Italian Football Federation), spoke at Il Foglio a San Siro event: “The personal agendas of the past have been set aside. The elective assembly on February 3rd sent a clear message: for the good of football, we must all stand together.”
Regarding why a vice-presidency wasn`t given to Lega Serie A, considering the renewed collaboration?
“Precisely due to the matter of autonomy. I have a decade-long friendship with Ezio (Simonelli, president of Lega Serie B). However, there are processes to follow. Serie A has legitimately asserted and obtained a significant role, which I believe is also in the interest of Lega Serie A itself. If they were to hold a vice-presidency, I can imagine the difficulties in case of conflicting votes. However, I believe their presence on the presidential committee is strong and important. Serie A is powerful and present.”
You also mentioned a renewed understanding with Minister Abodi.
“Yes, there are critical issues, and the Minister`s agenda largely aligns with ours. There are things that football demands, not because it`s an action that would disrupt the overall economic and financial balance of our country. We are claiming something that is rightfully ours. We are in agreement with Lega Serie A and the other leagues, with all components of Italian sport. It is inconceivable that in the world of betting, we increase the production value of our country by 16 billion euros, and unlike all other European countries, no due recognition is given, which is a consequence of a principle established by the European Commission, which spoke of the protection of copyright in relation to betting. I don`t understand why Italian sport should not be recognized for anything. Today we say that sport is culture: culture is granted a tax credit, but football is not. Then I think about the ban on betting advertising: everyone can bet, but companies cannot advertise. We know that the path is long, that there are disagreements that do not concern the political majority but other entities.”