Lotito Advocates for Special Commissioner to Overhaul FIGC

Lazio owner Claudio Lotito has expressed his desire for a special commissioner to lead the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), stating that a complete systemic overhaul is necessary. This stance contrasts with the majority of Serie A clubs who support Giovanni Malagò as the next FIGC President.

The recent failure of the Italian national team to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup led to the resignation of the current FIGC President, Gabriele Gravina. The federation is now actively seeking a new leader who will also be responsible for appointing the next national team coach, ahead of the EURO 2028 and Nations League campaigns scheduled for September.

Lotito's Opposition to Serie A's Preferred Candidate

During a meeting of Lega Serie A clubs in Milan, 18 out of the 20 teams endorsed Giovanni Malagò, the former President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI). However, both Lazio and Hellas Verona abstained from voting.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lazio President Claudio Lotito emphasized that his objection is not to Malagò personally but to the existing system. "If something isn't working, it has to be restructured, right?" Lotito questioned. He elaborated, "This system was built on a law set in stone 45 years ago, so as long as that law and that system is in place… We need to redesign everything from top to bottom, which means we need to nominate a special commissioner."

The appointment of a special commissioner would essentially place the FIGC under receivership, granting this individual the authority to implement significant changes without requiring a majority vote. Interestingly, Malagò has experience in such a role. In 2018, when the FIGC and Lega Serie A struggled to elect new leaders, he served as a special commissioner from February to May of that year, until new leadership was successfully appointed.