Galliani backed by players and coaches to challenge Malagò for Figc presidency

Footballers and coaches back Galliani

On 29 October, the Italian footballers' association (AIC) and the coaches' association (AIAC) announced in a joint note that they had finished collecting the signatures needed to put forward Adriano Galliani as a candidate for the Figc presidency. The vote is set for the elective federal assembly on 14 December. The two bodies pointed to Galliani's history, experience and results on the field. They also said he was ready to pursue an open and progressive federal vision as part of reforms they consider no longer deferrable. Galliani is a former executive of Milan and Monza.

“We believe this is an important opportunity in terms of the value of choice, given his history, experience and results on the field.”

Malagò's bid and the Serie A count

Giovanni Malagò, the current federal commissioner, is seeking the post as well. Il Fatto Quotidiano reported that he had reached the quorum of 11 of Serie A's 20 clubs needed to be confirmed as the league's candidate, while Il Giornale said he would announce his signatures that day. Candidacies must be filed by 4 November. Il Fatto Quotidiano noted that clubs stood at 19 of 20 in June and questioned how many would finally back him, also pointing to a puzzle over some duplicate signatures. Il Messaggero said Malagò had already regained the majority of Serie A clubs, with a Como signature expected to bring the count to eleven.

Urbano Cairo, the Torino president, told Rai Radio1's Un Giorno da Pecora that he had backed Malagò with his signature. He defended the commissioner's record by citing his election in June, the choice of a national team coach, the August holiday and the attacks over player registrations. Cairo added that Galliani did not appear to be drawing much support.

“I gave my support to Malagò, I signed and gave him my backing.”

A split inside Serie A

Il Messaggero linked the footballers' and coaches' move to a part of Serie A that, together with Beppe Marotta, the Inter chief, had lost ground, describing it as a revenge attempt through a proxy candidate. Il Fatto Quotidiano framed Malagò's collection of Serie A signatures as a setback for Marotta. It also noted that the plan B of the opposition relied on players backing Galliani, an irony for a man whose career was built inside the league. Il Messaggero wrote that the commissioner would still need to look over his shoulder for defectors in the ballot.

Key dates ahead

The leagues of Serie A, B, Lega Pro and Dilettanti, after a brief remote call between their presidents, adjourned to the afternoon of 30 October, according to Il Giornale. The same outlet reported that both Malagò and Galliani had completed their administrative steps, including player registration, each as an accompanying manager at a club. Malagò was elected in June, the candidacies close on 4 November, and the federal assembly votes on 14 December.