In the hallowed “Sala delle Fiaccole” at the CONI palace, a venue steeped in the very history of Italian sport, sits Franco Carraro. At 85, he`s a living archive, a figure whose presence alone seems to conjure decades of triumphs, controversies, and the relentless evolution of sport within the national narrative. With a career spanning presidencies of both the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Carraro`s insights are not mere recollections; they are the bedrock of modern Italian athletics.
The Unyielding Autonomy of Sport: Moscow 1980
Carraro`s journey into the pantheon of Italian sports leadership began with a profound test of principle: the 1980 Moscow Olympics. As CONI president, he faced immense political pressure from the Italian government, urged by figures like Helmut Schmidt and Bettino Craxi, to join the US-led boycott. His response was unequivocal.
“The government had invited us not to go. If I had consented without asserting the autonomy of sport, I would have had to resign that very day. Anyone else, I believe, would have acted as I did.”
This steadfast stance, though costing him a temporary chill in his friendship with Craxi—a mere eighteen months, Carraro quips, perhaps understating the friction with a man known for his formidable character—was a defining moment. He viewed the boycott as hypocritical, questioning how Italy could continue economic ties with the Soviet Union (e.g., building cars in Togliattigrad) while only penalizing its athletes. Despite military athletes being barred from participating, Italy returned from Moscow with 8 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals. Carraro links this decision to a broader shift in national identity, praising presidents like Sandro Pertini and Carlo Azeglio Ciampi for fostering a renewed sense of patriotism through sport, transforming even the national anthem from a seldom-sung tune to a unifying cry.
A Privileged Start and a Philosophical Outlook
Carraro attributes much of his success to a privileged upbringing, not in wealth, but in education and opportunity. Fluent in French and English, he started “a little ahead of others.” This has instilled in him a profound sense of debt to life, a feeling that shapes his perspective on the future—a future he contemplates more for his granddaughter than for himself. His personal habits are almost ascetic: a preference for still water, a lack of particular passion for food, and never having smoked. He humorously notes, “When you`re 16 and a European water ski champion, you don`t really need cigarettes to give yourself an aura with the girls.”
His athletic past, though brief (ending after a stolen ski at a World Championship), shaped a fundamental aspect of his character: his equanimity in crisis. He recalls sleeping soundly even when six of his Roman councilors were arrested or when a judge sought his arrest. Yet, ironically, trivialities like prolonged waits at a restaurant can rouse his ire. This peculiar dichotomy speaks volumes about a man who has navigated Italy`s tumultuous political and sporting landscapes.
The Lingering Shadow of Calciopoli
Perhaps the most searing chapter in Carraro`s career remains Calciopoli, the 2006 Italian football scandal. Despite his eventual acquittal, the accusation of dishonesty left a deep wound. He resigned as FIGC president to allow for an unblemished start to the subsequent season, a move he believes was necessary but painful.
His greatest regret, however, stems from what he calls a “major political error” in 2004. Believing that a change was due for the referee designators, Bergamo and Pairetto, he approached legendary referee Pierluigi Collina to take over. Collina declined, opting to continue officiating. Carraro, facing other pressing issues like the near-collapse of Napoli (a crisis so severe that President Ciampi intervened, leading to Aurelio De Laurentiis`s rescue and Carraro`s subsequent, open support for Napoli after AC Milan), decided against making further changes. Years later, he learned that Collina`s refusal was communicated to Bergamo and Pairetto via a Milan official, which, Carraro postulates, led them to seek protection and influence by aligning with Luciano Moggi, the Juventus general manager at the heart of the scandal. “I made a mistake,” he admits. “I should have changed them anyway.”
On the controversial reassignment of the 2006 Scudetto to Inter, Carraro offers a characteristically direct opinion: “It`s a good thing there was an investigation and that the responsible teams were punished. The Scudetti should have been taken from Juve because their executives made mistakes, but the 2006 one should not have been reassigned to Inter. Both should have remained unassigned, as per the tradition of the Football Federation.”
World Cups and National Identity
Reflecting on the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, Carraro, ever the pragmatist, takes responsibility. “We got everything wrong. Trapattoni was not a knockout-stage coach, and we chose a too-isolated retreat.” While acknowledging the “homely” refereeing of Byron Moreno and widespread corruption rumors, he cuts to the chase: “If Vieri had scored the winning goal a minute from time, we wouldn`t even remember the referee`s name.”
He implicitly connects the 2006 World Cup victory, which happened amidst the Calciopoli fallout, to sound sporting policy. “There`s a proverb that says, `God helps those who help themselves,`” he notes, subtly referencing his strategic placement of Bergamo and Pairetto in UEFA and FIFA referee commissions, a move that predated and inadvertently fed into the later scandal, yet also, he implies, ensured Italy`s influence on the global stage.
The National Team`s Mystique and a Vialli Revelation
Looking at the current Italian national team, Carraro is optimistic about qualification, dismissing thoughts of another missed World Cup. He praises the commitment of players like Gennaro Gattuso but highlights the inherent challenge for national sides: the constant club schedule leaves precious little time to forge the “alchemy” required for success. He believes this alchemy was present during the Euro 2020 victory, largely due to Gianluca Vialli.
Carraro then shares a previously undisclosed anecdote: after Italy`s disappointing 2002 World Cup and a poor start to Euro 2004 qualifiers under Trapattoni, he secretly met with Vialli in Turin in October 2002 to offer him the national team coaching job. Conditions weren`t right at the time, but Carraro`s profound respect for Vialli is evident: “No one ever knew; he was a true man.”
Milan, Continuity, and the “Poltronissimo” Tag
As a former president of AC Milan, Carraro retains a keen interest in his old club, endorsing current coach Allegri and sporting director Tare. He expresses a heartfelt wish for Adriano Galliani`s return, citing his unparalleled knowledge of the club and his proven success at Monza. “Galliani is part of the club`s history, and for the fans, it would be an extraordinary surge of enthusiasm.”
His recent, somewhat surprising, candidacy for the CONI presidency is also demystified. It was not a genuine bid for power but a strategic act of “moral suasion.” Carraro, alongside other influential figures, was concerned about potential instability and a shift away from sound administrative continuity. He ran to ensure a specific secretary-general (Mornati) would be retained and that the institution`s foundations remained solid. “I always knew what the outcome of my candidacy would be,” he reveals, “but I couldn`t tell anyone.”
Finally, he addresses the moniker that has often followed him: “The Big Chair” or “Poltronissimo,” referring to his long tenure across various powerful roles. Far from being irked, Carraro embraces it with a wry smile. “No, I realize perfectly well… I was precocious, president of the water ski federation at 22, president of Milan at 27. I occupied many spaces, but I always tried to do my job. That they criticize and judge me on the past is legitimate. Now I am 85, and I understand those who exclaim when they hear my name: `Is that guy really still alive?`”
Franco Carraro`s career is a testament to longevity, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to Italian sport. He remains a critical bridge between eras, a figure who has not only witnessed history but actively shaped it, leaving an indelible mark on the nation`s sporting consciousness.