Overview
- Diana Bianchedi resigned as head delegate of the Italy national team on Wednesday, Sept. 30, saying minister Andrea Abodi's public remarks had put her values and the squad under unnecessary pressure.
- Bianchedi remains vice president of CONI, a status that removes her conflict of interest and allows her to cast a vote at the Coni Giunta meeting summoned for October 6 on whether to propose commissariamento of the FIGC.
- CONI has already asked anti-corruption authority ANAC to check for incompatibilities and is reviewing legal opinions about Giovanni Malagò's missing tesseramento, while Malagò is preparing defenses and possible appeals.
- The dispute has hardened into a political standoff after Abodi publicly criticized CONI vice-presidents and Malagò publicly rebuked the minister, describing Abodi's intervention as out of place and backing Bianchedi's choice.
- Officials say the governance fight will not disrupt the team: coach Roberto Mancini and the players will continue preparations and the scheduled Nations League match in Paris will go ahead as planned.