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10/01 09:57 CDT Italian soccer chief Malag faces election inquiry and Euro
2032 stadium issues
Italian soccer chief Malag faces election inquiry and Euro 2032 stadium issues
By ANDREW DAMPF
AP Sports Writer
ROME (AP) --- It's not just the struggling national team that embattled Italian
soccer federation president Giovanni Malag has to worry about these days.
Malag is facing an inquiry by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) --- a body
he used to lead --- over an alleged irregularity in his election that could
result in his removal and an emergency commissioner taking over.
And --- at least as long as he's got the job--- Malag has also inherited
Italy's problem-plagued preparations for hosting the 2032 European Championship.
This week, the federation submitted a list to UEFA of 14 stadiums in 13 cities
that could potentially host games for the tournament that is being co-organized
with Turkey. But only one of the venues --- Juventus' Allianz Stadium in Turin
--- is ready.
Election inquiry The election inquiry revolves around whether Malag was registered as a member of the soccer federation at the time of the vote. "I'm not concerned. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. I was elected and I had a consensus of votes," Malag said Thursday. "With those prerequisites, why should I be worried?" UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has warned Italian authorities of political interference in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport. CONI will discuss the FIGC vote on Tuesday. Malag received 68.58% of the votes in the election, easily beating former federation president Giancarlo Abete, who received 29.17% and was the only other candidate. The vote was to replace Gabriele Gravina, who resigned after four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. On Wednesday, Malag ally Diana Bianchedi resigned as the national team's delegation chief amid a spat with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi.
Stadium list The 13 cities that Italy has submitted as possible hosts for Euro 2032 are: Bari, Bologna, Cagliari, Florence, Genoa, Lecce, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Rome, Salerno, Turin and Verona. Two stadiums in Rome are included in the proposal: the Stadio Olimpico and a planned new Roma stadium. Ideally, UEFA would select five stadiums in Italy and five in Turkey for the 24-team, 51-game tournament. "I've been the flag bearer for major events for years," said Malag, who was previously president of the Italian Olympic Committee and the Milan Cortina Olympics organizing committee. "UEFA is looking at us very carefully. And our plan is an act of faith because as of today only one stadium would be ready to host the Euros while Turkey has well more than five." Of the five favorites, only Turin is ready. Inter and AC Milan are planning to tear down the San Siro and build a new stadium and three others need to be refurbished with major work: the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples and the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo. City officials in Rome gave final approval this week to build Roma's new stadium. But construction wouldn't start until next year. Italy had originally wanted to host the Euros on its own before asking Turkey to come aboard in a joint bid because of its lack of suitable stadiums. In April, the government named Massimo Sessa as an extraordinary commissioner for stadiums. ___ See AP's full soccer coverage here
Election inquiry The election inquiry revolves around whether Malag was registered as a member of the soccer federation at the time of the vote. "I'm not concerned. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. I was elected and I had a consensus of votes," Malag said Thursday. "With those prerequisites, why should I be worried?" UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has warned Italian authorities of political interference in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport. CONI will discuss the FIGC vote on Tuesday. Malag received 68.58% of the votes in the election, easily beating former federation president Giancarlo Abete, who received 29.17% and was the only other candidate. The vote was to replace Gabriele Gravina, who resigned after four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. On Wednesday, Malag ally Diana Bianchedi resigned as the national team's delegation chief amid a spat with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi.
Stadium list The 13 cities that Italy has submitted as possible hosts for Euro 2032 are: Bari, Bologna, Cagliari, Florence, Genoa, Lecce, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Rome, Salerno, Turin and Verona. Two stadiums in Rome are included in the proposal: the Stadio Olimpico and a planned new Roma stadium. Ideally, UEFA would select five stadiums in Italy and five in Turkey for the 24-team, 51-game tournament. "I've been the flag bearer for major events for years," said Malag, who was previously president of the Italian Olympic Committee and the Milan Cortina Olympics organizing committee. "UEFA is looking at us very carefully. And our plan is an act of faith because as of today only one stadium would be ready to host the Euros while Turkey has well more than five." Of the five favorites, only Turin is ready. Inter and AC Milan are planning to tear down the San Siro and build a new stadium and three others need to be refurbished with major work: the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples and the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo. City officials in Rome gave final approval this week to build Roma's new stadium. But construction wouldn't start until next year. Italy had originally wanted to host the Euros on its own before asking Turkey to come aboard in a joint bid because of its lack of suitable stadiums. In April, the government named Massimo Sessa as an extraordinary commissioner for stadiums. ___ See AP's full soccer coverage here
