Beirut: Andrea Pirlo announced on Monday that he is stepping down as a candidate for the Italian national team coaching position following a dispute over his association with the Russian betting company Fonbet.

According to Anadolu Agency, despite the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) not having formally announced his appointment, Pirlo, the former midfielder for Italy, Juventus, and AC Milan, was widely anticipated to assume the coaching role. However, his potential appointment faced backlash from several Italian politicians due to his role as a global ambassador for Fonbet, a company that has sponsored events involving veterans of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Pirlo took to Instagram to address the situation, stating, "After learning last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italian national team, I feel it is my duty to clarify some aspects." He emphasized that his involvement with Fonbet was "exclusively of a commercial and sporting nature," arguing that attributing political significance to his role would imply beliefs he has never held.

The scrutiny surrounding Pirlo intensified after his attendance at a Fonbet event at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium last spring. The event featured performances by pro-Kremlin singer Shaman and appearances by Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba, who has publicly expressed pride in his nationality. Pirlo attended the event alongside former teammate Marco Materazzi, drawing further attention to his ties with the company.

The controversy surrounding Pirlo's association with Fonbet could also impact Paolo Maldini, the newly appointed FIGC technical director. Italian media reports suggest that Maldini might consider resigning over the failed appointment. Maldini was responsible for selecting a new coach after Italy missed out on a third consecutive World Cup, and Gennaro Gattuso resigned from the position. Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini are reportedly among the candidates now being considered for the role.