Picture during Italy vs. Belgium highlights tension over FIGC special commissioner

The FIGC is expected to be placed under a special commissioner, while a photo from the Italy-Belgium match offered a clear glimpse of the strained relationship among Giovanni Malagò, Andrea Abodi, and Luciano Bonfiglio.

Malagò’s spell as FIGC President may last less than four months, as multiple sources claim the Italian Football Federation will be placed under special administration.

FIGC to be placed under special commissioner: the key dates

Malagò was not a formal FIGC member when he was elected on June 22, so the vote that led to his appointment will be deemed invalid.

According to Corriere della Sera, CONI President Bonfiglio wants to convene the CONI board on October 7 to discuss the matter.

Bonfiglio’s idea is to put the FIGC under special administration and call for new elections, which must be held no earlier than 60 days, so they’d take place towards the end of 2026 or the start of 2027.

“You have to respect the rules that I don’t decide,” Bonfiglio said on Friday, when he attended the Italy-Belgium match alongside Malagò and Italy Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, who appears to back CONI’s decision to remove Malagò.

A picture of the three during the game has gone viral on social media, highlighting the palpable tension between them.

“You only had to look at their tense faces to sense how delicate the moment was,” wrote Corriere.

“Apparently, the three barely spoke to one another.”

Corriere notes that Malagò is ready to fight his case on every front. First and foremost, he will appeal to the CONI Guarantee Board and, if necessary, to the Regional Administrative Court.

“Now, I’m under attack because of an electoral procedure for which I am not only not to blame, but a victim,” Malagò said earlier this month.

“I was the President of CONI for 12 years, and I am the only individual member of the IOC, but now, suddenly, the issue is that someone says I was not registered.”

If he fails, Malagò is also determined, according to the report, to run for the presidency again, but whether he’d succeed a second time remains to be seen.