Giancarlo Abete declines FIGC presidency bid

Giancarlo Abete, president of the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (LND), has announced that he will not run for the presidency of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). The decision comes ahead of the elections scheduled for December 14, following the resignation of Gabriele Gravina.

Abete criticized the procedural chaos surrounding the leadership transition, suggesting that recent actions focused more on procedural outcomes than on addressing the core issues facing Italian football. He noted that while the LND opposed the previous commissionership, the current focus should be on substantive debate regarding the sport's challenges.

Regarding potential candidates, Abete stated that the LND has no preclusions against any individual, including Gabriele Malagò. He also addressed discussions regarding the expansion of the Coppa Italia to include Serie C teams, expressing openness to innovation while noting the need to ensure such changes are compatible with the current landscape of the sport.