Diana Bianchedi resigns as Italy delegation head following remarks by sports minister Andrea Abodi

Resignation from the national team

Former Olympic fencing champion Diana Bianchedi announced her resignation as Chief of Delegation for the Italian national football team on 30 September 2026. Bianchedi had been appointed to the role on 9 August by the new Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malago, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Her official debut in the position occurred on 23 September with the national squad. She explained that her departure was intended to shield the squad and technical staff from external political disputes following critical statements made by government officials.

Following the statements released by the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, and the controversies that arose in the press this afternoon, I tender my resignation as Chief of Delegation of the National Team.

Ministerial criticism and CONI tensions

The dispute intensified earlier on 30 September during the Sky Up The Edit school event, where Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi spoke about internal divisions within the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). At a CONI Giunta meeting on 29 September, senior vice president Bianchedi and vice president Marco Di Paola had voiced opposition to a proposal from CONI president Luciano Buonfiglio to place the Italian Weightlifting Federation (FederPesistica) into administration, before ultimately voting in favor. Abodi publicly questioned whether officials who disagree with leadership could maintain required institutional trust.

The senior vice president and the vice president have the right and duty to express an opinion, but if it is always contrary they should make a choice, because that role was entrusted to them within a relationship of trust.

Abodi added that such relationships rarely endure when appointed officials fail to reflect that trust in their ongoing governance decisions.

Governance implications and next steps

Bianchedi's dual capacity as CONI senior vice president and FIGC delegation chief had drawn scrutiny within the Olympic committee since August over potential incompatibility. Her resignation removes that conflict ahead of an upcoming CONI Giunta vote on the potential administration of the FIGC. That process stems from a dispute over player registrations that could affect Malago's position as federation president. By stepping down from her FIGC post, Bianchedi regains eligibility to cast a vote in the Giunta meeting scheduled for early October.

Focus on the national squad

In her farewell remarks, Bianchedi defended her administrative record and reaffirmed her support for head coach Roberto Mancini, the players, and the wider backroom staff. She stressed that her decision aimed to keep sporting achievements separate from institutional power struggles across Italian athletic federations.

A decision made out of the great respect I have for CONI, its board, the FIGC and sports institutions, as demonstrated by my career as an athlete and manager. I have always acted with fairness and seriousness, in compliance with the rules and people, for the good of sport: values that are now unfairly questioned.

Bianchedi concluded her statement by thanking the squad for their collaboration and encouraging supporters to back the team during upcoming fixtures.