Malagò surprised by ‘incredible’ attempts to block FIGC role

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Sep 10, 2026 11:59 AM ET

FIGC President Giovanni Malagò admits he’s surprised by the continuing attempts to block his appointment over legal grounds. ‘It’s incredible’ and could damage Italy’s EURO 2032 hosting dossier.

The 67-year-old won the election to be named President of the Italian Football Federation on June 22.

However, there have been several appeals lodged by those trying to block his appointment, claiming that he was lacking the necessary paperwork and history with the FIGC to secure the leadership.

He had previously been special commissioner of the FIGC for a month in 2018, but spent most of the last few decades at the helm of the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee), which oversees all Italian sport.

Malagò stunned by legal battle

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 5: Giovanni Malago, President of the Organising Committee for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, speaks during the mural inauguration ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at the Cortina Paralympic Village on March 05, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images for IPC)

“It is honestly incredible, because it’s not even a legal block, it’s an interpretation of the rules, and it is strange that this is interpreted in this way only for my case,” Malagò told reporters at an event.

“I expected one, two or three appeals, but that at a certain point they’d stop. In some ways, it’s an affectionate obsession with me, but I am very calm.”

It has been a complicated start to the job for Malagò, who had tried to appoint Paolo Maldini and Leonardo as technical directors of the Italy squad, but they resigned after the failure to choose their preferred candidate as coach.

Instead, he brought back Roberto Mancini as CT, with Claudio Ranieri taking the technical director position, assisted by Gianfranco Zola.

“We’ve been accustomed to difficulties in Italy, but there have been some good things in the last two months. I see enthusiasm and synergy between Ranieri, Zola and Mancini, then we’ll see what happens on the field.”

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: CONI President Giovanni Malago’ attends the Italian Olympic Commitee ‘Collari d’Oro’ Awards ceremony on December 15, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Malagò was asked if the on-going controversy over his status as FIGC President could potentially damage the Italy co-hosting preparations for the EURO 2032 tournament, shared with Turkiye, he admitted this was unclear.

“It’s a very good question. If I said no, I would not be honest, but if I said yes, it would be a mistake because I don’t want to get anyone worried.”

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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