FIGC President Gabriele Gravina commented on the football players recently involved in the betting scandal, stating that their courage in admitting their mistakes makes them deserving of the Azzurri jersey.
Gravina added that these young men demonstrated their pride and bravery by discussing their vulnerabilities within their communities and with teammates. He expressed his long-held view, rooted in a constitutional principle, that the focus should be on recovery and rehabilitation. He believes this is a time for understanding, not judgment.
Emphasizing the need to comprehend the fragility and weakness of these players, Gravina announced that the federal council has approved a modification to Article 137. This change allows for a portion of sanctions imposed on players in youth competitions – specifically up to half of bans exceeding eight matchdays or four months – to be converted into socially useful activities or community service, aligning with the focus on recovery for those who make errors.