Andrea Pirlo has said he is no longer a candidate to coach the Italian national side following days of controversy over his ties to a Russian betting company.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) had not yet confirmed his appointment, but it appeared almost certain. Over the weekend, several Italian politicians criticised the FIGC’s choice, linking Pirlo to Russia’s Fonbet, where he took a role as global ambassador in October.

Fonbet has sponsored multiple sporting events featuring veterans of Moscow’s war in Ukraine, and organised gatherings in Russia where Pirlo appeared with pro‑Kremlin figures.

"Anyone who is or has been promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office," said Carlo Calenda of the centrist Azione party.

Pirlo responded to the criticism on Instagram, stating that his collaboration with United FC in Dubai was purely commercial and sporting, and that it should not be politicised.

European Parliament vice‑president Pina Picierno called for a "cultural, ethical and managerial revolution" in Italian football, arguing that the choice of Pirlo ran contrary to those ideals. By contrast, Russian ambassador Aleksey Paramonov urged that Pirlo’s global sporting contribution not be dismissed.

Last spring, Pirlo participated in a Fonbet event in Moscow, where he and former teammate Marco Materazzi signed autographs at Luzhniki Stadium, alongside pro‑Kremlin pop star Shaman. The event coincided with a large Russian attack on Ukraine.

Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych, disqualified from the Winter Olympics, criticised Pirlo for appearing next to Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba, who publicly expressed pride in being Russian. Heraskevych labelled the move "sad to see childhood legends turn into moral bankrupts."

The controversy now threatens to engulf new FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini, who began his post on 11 July and faces possible resignation should Pirlo’s appointment fail. Maldini and adviser Leonardo had been tasked with selecting a new head coach to guide Italy through a Nations League group featuring France, Belgium and Turkey, and aim for Euro 2028 qualification.

The Italian football community has been undergoing intense soul‑searching after the national team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, an event that superseded previously successful campaigns. Former coaches such as Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were approached but declined, leaving names like Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini on the shortlist, the latter of whom led Italy to Euro 2020 before stepping down and taking a coaching role in Saudi Arabia.