The Procura Generale dello Sport has rejected a request to close the investigation into FIGC President Giovanni Malagò's failure to hold a federation membership card when he filed his candidacy, a decision that could theoretically invalidate his June election and every official act he has signed since—though the veteran sports executive insists he remains "serene." The case now returns to the FIGC's federal prosecutor for additional clarification, with the CONI board potentially addressing the matter as early as September 15.
Why This Matters
• The core allegation: Malagò was not registered in the FIGC's S400 system when he submitted his presidential candidacy, potentially violating Article 29 of the federation's statute.
• What's at stake: If confirmed, the irregularity could trigger Malagò's immediate removal and the annulment of all decisions made during his tenure.
• Next steps: The federal prosecutor must now provide additional evidence supporting his earlier request to dismiss the case; CONI's board will ultimately decide whether to intervene.
• Precedent claimed: Malagò cites "evident precedents" including former presidents Giancarlo Abete and Gabriele Gravina, both of whom faced similar procedural questions without consequence.
The Technical Dispute Over "Being in Regola"
At the heart of this affair lies a narrow but consequential question of statutory interpretation. Article 29 of the FIGC statute requires candidates for federal office to be "in regola con il tesseramento"—properly registered—at the moment they submit their candidacy.
Federal Prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè had argued that this phrase should be interpreted flexibly: for someone who already holds or has held a federation card, "being in compliance" means meeting the requirements for registration, not necessarily possessing an active card at that precise moment. Under this reading, Malagò's situation mirrored that of his predecessors.
The Procura Generale dello Sport, led by Sergio Taucer, rejected this reasoning. In a formal communication sent to Chinè and copied to CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, Taucer reportedly clarified that one cannot be "in compliance with registration" without first being registered. The ruling suggests Malagò's election may have been marred by what the Procura Generale considers an "irreparable formal defect." The matter originated from a complaint filed by attorney Renato Miele, a former Serie A defender whose own presidential candidacy failed to gain the necessary backing from a federation component.
Malagò's Defence: "Political Dynamics"
Emerging from a meeting with Lega Serie B officials in Milan, Malagò projected confidence. "I am very, very calm," he told reporters, adding that "everyone knows this story well by now."
More notably, the FIGC president suggested the challenge stemmed from forces unhappy with his election. "For months, people have been trying different paths than normal electoral consensus dynamics," he said, pointing to "precedents that are all too evident." The implication is clear: Malagò believes this is an attempt to overturn a legitimate electoral result through procedural technicalities rather than democratic competition.
The reference to precedent is not without foundation. Similar questions about registration requirements have arisen before—notably regarding former FIGC President Gabriele Gravina—without ultimately affecting the validity of elections. Malagò argues his case is indistinguishable from those earlier matters.
What This Means for Italian Football
For fans, club owners, and anyone invested in Italian football, this uncertainty arrives at a delicate moment. Malagò was elected just two months ago on a platform promising stability and collaboration with the leagues. In his remarks to the Lega Serie B assembly, he spoke of building projects "that look far ahead, even beyond 2032" and mentioned ongoing work with figures like Roberto Mancini, Claudio Ranieri, and Gianfranco Zola to restore prestige to Italian football.
The investigation creates a cloud over those ambitions. Every decision Malagò has signed—contract approvals, regulatory changes, appointments—could theoretically be challenged if his election is ultimately voided. For a federation already navigating complex negotiations over television rights, youth development reforms, and infrastructure investments, the distraction is unwelcome.
Paolo Bedin, president of Lega Serie B, used the same Milan assembly to announce a forthcoming dossier on youth academies and player development. The league reported an 85% increase in commercial partnerships compared to the 2024-25 season, including five new sponsorship deals. That progress now unfolds against a backdrop of institutional uncertainty.
Institutional Reactions: Cautious Voices
CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio struck a careful tone when questioned at a Senate event commemorating Alex Zanardi. "I never believed or wanted this story to formalize," he admitted, before adding that CONI would proceed "with attention and without haste.** The CONI president and I will try not to make mistakes." When pressed about potential federal commissionership—a nuclear option CONI could deploy—he deflected: "How many times have you asked me this before? I don't let myself be influenced by right or left. It's not a right but a duty of the CONI president to make evaluations with great attention."
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi similarly avoided taking sides. Describing himself as a "respectful but interested observer," Abodi noted that "sports justice is addressing this at every level. The norms are known—sports and state norms—beyond their interpretability. Everyone has their role."
Both men are effectively buying time. The September 15 CONI board meeting could provide clarity, but sources suggest the institution prefers to let the sports justice system run its course before considering intervention.
A Pattern of Procedural Challenges
This is not the first time Italian sports governance has been tested by technical challenges to leadership elections. The FIGC statute and related regulations contain numerous formal requirements that, strictly interpreted, could disqualify candidates for reasons having nothing to do with their qualifications or support.
What makes this case notable is the Procura Generale's willingness to challenge the federal prosecutor's interpretation. Under Italy's sports justice system, the Procura Generale dello Sport serves as a supervisory body with authority to review decisions by federation-level prosecutors. By rejecting Chinè's request for dismissal, Taucer has signalled that questions about Malagò's eligibility deserve fuller examination.
The case also highlights the ambiguous position of the FIGC presidency itself. Unlike the heads of some sports federations, the FIGC president wields significant influence over Italy's most popular sport, making any challenge to their authority inherently political. Malagò's suggestion of "non-electoral dynamics" reflects an understanding that legal and political currents in Italian sports governance are often inseparable.
For now, Malagò continues to serve, attend league assemblies, and promote his vision for Italian football. But until the sports justice system renders a final verdict, a question mark will hang over his presidency—and over the federation he leads.
