CARLO TAVECCHIO HAS resigned as the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.
Dejected Italian players after last week's game. SIPA USA / PA Images
SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images
The 74-year-old confirmed his decision at a news conference following a meeting at the FIGC headquarters in Rome today.
It comes after Italy were knocked out 1-0 on aggregate in last week’s World Cup play-off against Sweden.
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It was reported the rest of the FIGC board had also agreed to step down, but Tavecchio claims they have refused to do so.
“I resigned as president and I asked the whole of the board to do the same. They didn’t,” he said.
“My target now is to manage the FIGC for the next 90 days before the elections.”
Tavecchio also claimed it was not his decision to appoint Gian Piero Ventura as Italy head coach.
A disappointed Italian coach Gian Piero Ventura after the Swedish loss. SIPA USA / PA Images
SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images
He says the 69-year-old, who left his post last Monday in the wake of the loss to Sweden, was the choice of former boss Marcello Lippi.
“They say ‘Tavecchio chose Ventura’. That’s not true. Lippi chose him,” he said.
“Am I to blame for something? Yes: I should have changed coach last Monday at half-time.”
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World Cup failure sees head of Italian FA quit but board refuse to follow
CARLO TAVECCHIO HAS resigned as the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.
The 74-year-old confirmed his decision at a news conference following a meeting at the FIGC headquarters in Rome today.
It comes after Italy were knocked out 1-0 on aggregate in last week’s World Cup play-off against Sweden.
It was reported the rest of the FIGC board had also agreed to step down, but Tavecchio claims they have refused to do so.
“I resigned as president and I asked the whole of the board to do the same. They didn’t,” he said.
“My target now is to manage the FIGC for the next 90 days before the elections.”
Tavecchio also claimed it was not his decision to appoint Gian Piero Ventura as Italy head coach.
He says the 69-year-old, who left his post last Monday in the wake of the loss to Sweden, was the choice of former boss Marcello Lippi.
“They say ‘Tavecchio chose Ventura’. That’s not true. Lippi chose him,” he said.
“Am I to blame for something? Yes: I should have changed coach last Monday at half-time.”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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Football gian piero ventura Italy stepping down WC Qualifying Europe