Serie A & FIGC in feud over Italy's elimination from the World Cup

For the second time in a row, the Azzurri have ended in failure to qualify for the Qatar World Cup, and criticism is mounting on FIGC President Gravina, who refuses to think about resigning. 

“The program continues, we must heal the wounds of these huge blows. We lived great times together and we’ll get over this sorrow together,” he said at a press conference last night.

“The result was unfair and the Mancini project will go ahead, same as mine. I must protect the lads and the federation. Surely there have been mistakes, but we must understand if there were short-term or if something needs to be changed radically.

“There’s a lot of resistance from clubs. The national team is not seen as an opportunity but almost as a discomfort. They have a business approach and that’s understandable, but the national team has been left alone.

“Clubs make their own interest, but we can’t just impose our ideas if the project is not shared.”

Lega

declined to reschedule the fixtures of matchday 30 to give the

additional time to prepare for the play-offs, stirring up controversy before the match versus North Macedonia. 

“There aren’t available players and something must be changed,” Gravina continued.

“We only have 30% of Italian footballers playing with the youth teams. Many young Italian players don’t have space with their clubs. It’s not the clubs’ fault, but there isn’t enough ‘human material’ to work with and we are trying to do the best we can with what we have.”

Gravina's assertions did not please new Lega Serie A Director Casini, who was elected just two weeks ago.

“The failed qualification to the World Cup is a huge failure for Italian football and everyone should seriously think about it, leading to a radical change of our system,” he said this morning.

“I am sad when I think about those children who are waiting to see Italy play at the World Cup. Serie A clubs and players have always answered positively to the national team’s calls and they will continue to do so because it represents a sporting effort that unites the whole country. The national team belongs to everyone.”

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