Aleksander Ceferin doesn't mince his words. The UEFA president, in an exclusive interview with SportMediaset, has launched a real torpedo against the Italian football system, defining the sporting infrastructures of our country “a disgrace”.
A clear judgment, which comes at a crucial moment: Italy is preparing to host, together with Turkey, the 2032 European Championships. But if things don't change, the risk of an international embarrassment is more than concrete. “You are one of the most important countries in the history of football, but you have the worst stadiums among the major European nations,” said Ceferin, bluntly rejecting San Siro's candidacy to host the Champions League final. And he added: “I’m tired of hearing only about projects and future plans. It’s time to do, not to say.”
Harsh words, which weigh like boulders, especially because they are pronounced by those who have direct power over European decisions. The reference is very clear: if Italy really wants to host theEuropean 2032, good intentions and electoral promises will not be enough, we will need open construction sites, real investments, a general mobilization of clubs, municipalities and government.
Ceferin however expressed his confidence in the FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, defining him “a credible ally” and leaving a crack open: “I think the government has now understood too. But time is running out.” Italian football, therefore, has reached a crossroads: either we seriously change pace, or we risk missing yet another train in history.
Article published on May 6, 2025 - 12:58 pm