FIGC to vote, elections on February 3, 2025. Gravina: "I have numbers but reserve not dissolved"

The race for the presidency of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has officially begun. The date for the elections was set at 3 February 2025, but at the moment there are no official candidates in the field. The current president, Gabriele Gravina, has not yet resolved his reservations about his re-candidacy, although he admits that he has solid electoral support.

“I am not insensitive to numbers and I know I have an important base – declared Gravina on the sidelines of the Federal Council –. The certainty of the result is there, but I want to understand if the conditions exist to lead the federation with a different serenity and a solid perspective for Italian football".

Gravina's reflection is not linked to the possibility of winning, but to the conditions for facing a new mandate. The president underlined the difficulties inherent in the role, between daily pressures and personal attacks. "We need people who are willing to sacrifice work and family, knowing they will become the target of unpleasant activities. We do an extraordinary job, but there are times when the limit is exceeded," explained Gravina, who has recently been involved in legal proceedings linked to an alleged dossier and an investigation into self-laundering.

Before making a final decision, Gravina will start a series of discussions with the federation members. “Only after these meetings will I resolve my reservations about my re-candidacy”, he said, adding that the deadline for submitting nominations will expire 40 days before the elections, so the first certainties will arrive around Christmas.

Regardless of his choice, Gravina expressed his desire for a single candidacy: “Regardless of the name, I would love to see a great sense of unity, as already happened in 2018. The results, then, were evident”. The possibility of a united front will also depend on the Serie A, one of the most influential components in the Italian football system. Precisely in this context, the Lega Serie A saw its appeal against the assembly that had approved statutory changes, later ratified by the FIGC and CONI, rejected. Gravina welcomed the sign of détente, underlining that eleven clubs – the majority – asked not to pursue further legal appeals.

“Finally an attitude of collaboration is prevailing – commented Gravina –. It's a question of common sense to protect Italian football." The President recalled that many requests were made by the Serie A were welcomed by the FIGC, even in the absence of specific parliamentary norms, and expressed the hope that all twenty clubs in the top division would find an agreement for the common good.