Pirlo position further weakened by fresh Russian gambling revelation

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Jul 26, 2026 3:43 PM ET

Andrea Pirlo’s hopes of becoming Italy coach took another battering after FC United owner Sergey Lomakin denied he was behind the contract with Russian gambling company Fonbet.

The global brand ambassador role with the betting site would see him fall foul of strict rules around publicising gambling in Italy, not to mention the added matter of Russian companies being sanctioned due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Pirlo’s last line of defence knocked down

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – APRIL 23: Head Coach Andrea Pirlo of Fatih Karagumruk looks on during the Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Fatih Karagumruk SK at NEF Stadyumu on April 23, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

It had been suggested that Pirlo was forced into the contract with Fonbet because the President of his current club, FC United in the United Arab Emirates, has large investments in the same group.

It would therefore be seen as part of his promotional activities as coach of United FC and not in a personal capacity.

However, La Gazzetta dello Sport this evening published a statement from Lomakin insisting that he has “no financial interests in Fonbet.

“United FC Dubai, who Pirlo is the coach of, has no association with Fonbet either. The supposed connection between Mr Lomakin, United FC and Fonbet does not exist.”

If that is confirmed, then the Italian has nothing to fall back on when trying to defend his global ambassador role.

Pirlo was in Moscow as recently as May 2026 to promote the brand, raising the questions that now seem likely to block his ascension to the role of Italy coach.

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – MAY 12: Andrea Pirlo, Head Coach of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore on May 12, 2021 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

It was a choice that he made to work with a nation that is under sanctions, and violating the Italian rules on promoting cash winning gambling.

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

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