AC Milan legend Gianni Rivera has launched an informal bid for the FIGC presidency, proposing a specific reform agenda to address the systemic crisis following Italy’s latest World Cup elimination.
Ballon d’Or winner Gianni Rivera has announced his intention to run for the FIGC presidency following Gabriele Gravina’s resignation.
Speaking on Rai Radio 1 Sport, the 82-year-old AC Milan legend stated, “I am ready to become FIGC president because I have a very specific programme,” developed alongside associates to reform the federation after Italy’s third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Rivera expressed little shock at the national team’s decline, noting, “There is no reason to be surprised about failing to qualify.”
To secure the role, he must navigate an assembly of 516 weighted votes, with the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti holding a decisive 34% share.
Formal documentation for the June 22 election must be submitted by June 7 to address what Rivera calls “serious problems.”