Andrea Pirlo has confirmed he is no longer in contention to take over as coach of the Italian national football team because of concerns surrounding his links to a Russian betting firm.
The former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder had emerged as leading candidate to take up the vacant managerial position following the mutual termination of Gennaro Gattuso’s contract in April after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
According to Reuters, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) had hesitated in appointing Pirlo after concerns arose around his role as an ambassador for Russia’s largest bookmaker, Fonbet.
Pirlo, who won the World Cup with Italy as a player in 2006, has served as a Fonbet ambassador since October 2025.
In a statement posted on Instagram on Sunday 26 July, Pirlo attested that his association with the operator was “strictly commercial and sporting in nature” and occurred during his time coaching in the United Arab Emirates.
Pirlo served as head coach of UAE First Division side United FC, owned by Russian billionaire Sergey Lomakin, during the 2025-26 season.
The oligarch, who Forbes ranks as the 1,951st among the richest people on the planet, has denied suggestions he has financial links to Fonbet, which was founded in 1994 as a retail betting chain and launched online eight years later
The Italian achieved promotion to the UAE Pro League during the season, the first promotion in the club’s history.
Pirlo wrote: “Over the past few days, I have watched with great bitterness the debate that has unfolded regarding my name and the possibility of taking on the role of head coach of the Italian national team.
“Out of respect for the institutions, the federation, and everyone involved, I chose to remain silent until now. However, I feel it is necessary to clarify a few points.
“Throughout my career – first as a player and now as a coach – I have always conducted my work in full compliance with the laws of the countries where I have worked and the contracts I have signed.
“The professional collaboration at the heart of the recent controversy arose during my time working in the United Arab Emirates and is strictly commercial and sporting in nature.
“Attributing political significance to this collaboration implies that I hold views I have never expressed and do not share.
“I regret that a decision based on sporting grounds was quickly dragged into a public dispute that ended up attributing meanings and intentions to me that do not reflect who I am. My love for Italy does not depend on a specific role. It is part of my history and my identity, and it will always remain with me.”
In his playing days, Pirlo made 116 appearances for the Italian national team between 2002 and 2015, scoring 13 goals.
His association with the betting company violates Italy’s legislation with regards to gambling promotion.
The Dignity Decree, in place since 2018, prohibits gambling advertising across traditional outlets and social media platforms, in addition to curbing any gambling-related sponsorships.
Sporting bodies across Europe have also distanced themselves from conducting business with Russian entities since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Last week, the EU adopted its 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
In 2022, former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the London club due to sanctions imposed on him by the UK government due to his ties to Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
Carlo Calenda, leader of the Action political party in Italy, told Italian media outlets over the weekend that “anyone who is or has been promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office”.
Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, is a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its war with its neighbour.
The post Report: Andrea Pirlo ruled out of Italy manager job over Russian betting ties first appeared on EGR Intel.
The 47-year-old insists the collaboration with Fonbet was “strictly commercial and sporting in nature” as the Italian football federation reevaluate his appointment
The post Report: Andrea Pirlo ruled out of Italy manager job over Russian betting ties first appeared on EGR Intel.