The FIGC Federal Council met today at the ‘Paolo Rossi’ Room at the Federation’s headquarters in Rome. Alongside President Malagò and Vice-President Vicario Simonelli, the Council unanimously elected Matteo Marani, Giancarlo Abete and Umberto Calcagno as members of the Presidency Committee. Malagò updated the Council on his discussions with Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi regarding the key issues affecting Italian football, announcing that he had invited the Minister to attend the next Federal Council meeting, scheduled for 17 September. The FIGC President also briefed the councillors on recent events following the appointment of technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo, and their subsequent decisions to step down from those roles.

MALDINI AND LEONARDO. During his press conference, after announcing the appointment of Roberto Mancini as Italy Head Coach and Claudio Ranieri as FIGC Technical Director and President of Club Italia, Malagò reflected on other recent events, from Andrea Pirlo’s failed appointment as Azzurri coach to Maldini and Leonardo’s decision to withdraw. “There was a candidate who had been identified and agreed upon. Then the developments, or rather the setback, regarding Pirlo’s candidacy – despite an agreement having been reached – led me to revoke his appointment as head coach. It was a matter of contexualised evaluation. With Maldini and Leonardo there was no conflict of any kind, no tension or anger, simply disappointment. It was a very rare situation, very complex, though my position remained strong and clear. Therefore, with the utmost respect, as can happen in even the best cases, we reached a mutual decision that it was right to go our separate ways. I can only thank Maldini and Leonardo, with whom I have been in direct contact over the last two weeks. They were, objectively, gentlemen: straightforward, sincere and honest in explaining their assessment.”

EURO 2032. “I believe that, as we approach the deadlines, dialogue with Minister Abodi is important,” Malagò said during his press conference. “We are working closely with UEFA, and by the end of the week we will have received the stadium dossier documentation for EURO 2032. Italy have a specific role, one that gives us priority. There are deadlines between now and October that must be appreciated, which will determine the certification of the requirements for the five stadiums selected to host the tournament.”

FOGGIA READMITTED TO SERIE C. Following the revocation of Ternana’s affiliation, the Council completed the Serie C line-up by readmitting Calcio Foggia through the relevant procedure. The club’s application was submitted in accordance with the provisions set out in Official Announcement No. 212/A of 6 May 2026 and was positively received by the relevant committees.

TISCI CONFIRMED AS PRESIDENT OF THE YOUTH AND SCHOOL SECTOR. Following a proposal from President Malagò, the Council appointed Vito Tisci as president of the FIGC Youth and School Sector.

IFAB AMENDMENTS. The Council approved the adoption of two additional optional IFAB amendments for the 2026/27 season, introduced through Circular No. 33. The changes concern the possibility for referees to use VAR assistance in cases where a corner kick has clearly been awarded incorrectly, and the possibility for VAR to intervene to disallow a goal scored by a player following an offence committed immediately before play was restarted with a set piece.