The new head of the national delegation takes a step back, resentful of the minister’s words. For Malagò, another piece of his federation that is leaving after the resignations of Maldini and Leonardo.
One problem after another, a continuous fibrillation. While the last battle is being fought around Giovanni Malagò’s position, with the FIGC commissionership now on the horizon and the announcement of a series of appeals by the person directly involved, one of his most discussed choices has decided to take a step back. Diana Bianchedi, surprisingly appointed head of the national delegation last August and awaiting a verdict from the ANAC regarding the alleged incompatibility with the role in the CONI executive council, has resigned.
The former fencer, an expert sports manager, did so by denouncing the attack suffered by the Minister for Sport, Andrea Abodi who, regarding his negative position regarding the administration of Federpesi, had clarified by also extending the discussion to the other vice-president Di Paola: “The deputy vice-president and the vice-president have the right and duty to express an opinion, but if it is always against they should make a choice. That role was entrusted to them in the context of a relationship of trust”. To then conclude: “These are choices that they will make internally, but normally these relationships like this do not last long in their role and function.”
Diana Bianchedi read Abodi’s words as a personal attack and after a few hours announced her step back: “Following the statements released by the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, and the controversies that arose from them in the press this afternoon, I am resigning as Head of the National team delegation. A decision matured due to the great respect I have for CONI, its Board, the FIGC and the sports institutions, as demonstrated by my career as an athlete and as a manager. I have always acted with correctness and seriousness, respecting the rules and people, for the good of the sport: values that are unfairly questioned today. Furthermore, I choose to take a step back for what the blue shirt represents, in order first of all to protect the team from unnecessary controversies. A team that I have found to be compact, motivated, with great professionals, starting from the technical commissioner, moving on to the players and all the staff they made me live. Let’s remember that sport is, and must be, primarily this. We support these kids, they deserve it.”
Malagò loses another piece of the house he had laboriously built in the first two months of his mandate. The former CONI number one had already received the resignations of Maldini and Leonardo after the rejection of Pirlo’s candidacy as coach as an alternative to Guardiola. Now the choice of Bianchedi who remains, however, within the Coni Board and who will now be able to express his own vote when President Buonfiglio calls to decide on the dismissal of Malagò and the administration of the FIGC.
