Lotito Advocates for Special Commissioner to Restructure Italian Football Federation (FIGC)

Lazio owner Claudio Lotito has voiced his disagreement with the majority of Serie A clubs who support Giovanni Malagò as the next President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Lotito contends that a fundamental restructuring of the entire system is necessary, rather than simply appointing a new leader.

The recent failure of the Italian national football team to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup has triggered a crisis, leading to the resignation of the Federation's President, Gabriele Gravina. The search is now underway for a new president who will be tasked with appointing the next national team coach to lead Italy in the upcoming EURO 2028 qualifiers and Nations League campaigns starting in September.

Lotito's Resistance to Serie A's Choice for FIGC Leadership

A meeting of the Lega Serie A in Milan saw 18 out of 20 clubs endorse former CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) President Malagò. However, Lazio and Hellas Verona abstained from the vote.

"The issue with Malagò is not his name, that's irrelevant," Lotito stated to reporters following the meeting. "If something is not functioning, it needs to be restructured, correct? This system was established by a law from 45 years ago, so as long as that law and that system remains in place…

“We need to rethink everything from the ground up, which means we need to appoint a special commissioner.”

The appointment of a special commissioner would essentially place the FIGC under administration, granting this individual the authority to enact significant changes without the need for majority approval. Notably, Malagò has previously held such a role in 2018 when the FIGC and Lega Serie A struggled to agree on new leadership. He served as special commissioner from February to May 2018 until new leaders were successfully elected.