FIGC faces potential takeover amid Malagò membership dispute

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) faces a potential takeover by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) following a dispute over the eligibility of FIGC President Giovanni Malagò. The controversy stems from a report by sports prosecutor Ugo Taucer, which highlighted that Malagò lacked the required membership registration at the time of his candidacy.

In response to the threat of a full commission of the FIGC, which would dissolve the current federal council, football leaders including Giuseppe Marotta and Luca Percassi held an emergency summit in Rome. One proposed strategy to avoid a total takeover involves replacing FIGC Secretary General Marco Brunelli with Giancarlo Viglione. This move aims to attribute the registration error to a specific administrative failure rather than a systemic issue, thereby shielding Malagò and the broader council.

Malagò has characterized the investigation as a matter of personal and political conflict, specifically targeting CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio. Meanwhile, Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has urged the sporting system to resolve the matter internally to avoid political interference, though he emphasized the necessity of adhering to established rules.