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Gabriele Gravina defends Italian football amid criticism of decline

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 7:55 PM

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

Gabriele Gravina defends Italian football amid criticism of decline
Summary

Former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina spoke in Rome on June 16, addressing concerns over the state of Italian football. He argued that it is incorrect to label the sport as being at its lowest point solely based on failures to qualify for recent World Cups. Gravina highlighted Italy's success under Roberto Mancini, including winning the European Championship in 2021 and the achievements of youth national teams. He expressed the need for structural reforms and greater investment to develop Italian football moving forward.

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By the Numbers
  • •Gravina says judging Italian football only on World Cup qualification is reductive.
  • •Italy won the European Championship in 2021 under Mancini's leadership.
  • •Youth teams have also achieved success, winning both the U17 and U19 European Championships.
  • •He calls for significant reforms needed for the sport's improvement.
  • •Gravina addressed these points at the launch of a book in Rome.
Latest Updates
  • 7:55 PMYahoo Sports — Former FIGC president Gravina: ‘I don’t think Italian football has hit rock bottom’
What they're saying
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Gabriele Gravina has pushed back against the prevailing narrative that Italian football is in terminal decline, insisting that judging the national game solely on World Cup qualification failures is b...

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