Pirlo out of Italy football top job after backlash over Russian betting firm links
Andrea Pirlo is currently the head coach of the UAE's Dubai United [Getty Images] Andrea Pirlo has said he is no longer a candidate to coach the Italian national side following days of controversy over his ties to a Russian betting company. His appointment as Italy's next head coach had not been confirmed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) yet was being treated as all but certain. But over the weekend several Italian politicians criticised the FIGC's choice, noting that Pirlo, 47, had taken up a role as global ambassador for Russia's Fonbet last October. Hours later, Italian football was plunged further into crisis as it was reported by Sky Sport Italia that two other senior figures in the FIGC, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, had decided to resign. Maldini was appointed FIGC technical director just over two weeks ago. He and ex-Brazilian international Leonardo, his adviser and former AC Milan teammate, had been tasked with finding a new head coach and rebuilding the...