Italy football boss resigns after World Cup elimination
Carlo Tavecchio has confirmed his resignation from the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC).
Tavecchio announced his decision to step down at an FIGC meeting on Monday, and the 74-year-old admitted he ‘failed’ his country after a three-year spell that ended with the Azzurri failing to qualify for the World Cup.
“I’m sorry, I apologize to all Italians” he told his fellow councillors.
“I’m leaving because I failed. I apologize to all Italians. Now is the time for Italian football to embark on a new era and not just the usual round of armchairs.
“Political ambitions and profiteering prevented us from confronting the reasons for this outcome, and I’ve taken note of the change in attitude from some of you.” Tavecchio Conclude
Carlo Tavecchio was appointed president of the Italian Football Federation on 11th August, 2014, and on 6th March 2017, he was re-elected as president of the Italian Football Federation for a second term.
Tavecchio replaced Giancarlo Abete, who had resigned immediately after Italy were knocked out in the first round of the World Cup in Brazil. He was re-elected as head of the federation in March when he said that he had restored Italy’s credibility.
During the 2014 FIGC campaign, Tavecchio caused an outcry when he made a comment about a fictitious African player he named Opti Poba “eating bananas”.
He was subsequently banned from holding any position with world governing body FIFA for six months while European body UEFA imposed a similar sanction. The FIGC, however, cleared him of any wrongdoing.
(The story was refiled to correct paragraph 3 to say Italy last missed a World Cup final in 1958 not 1978)
Source: Otec Royal Sports
