“We risk making a global fool.” When she answers the phone Giovanni Malagò he has yet to completely get over his surprise at the reform document presented by the minister for sport Abodi to the FIGC and anticipated on Saturday by Republic. That text, which the government has decided not to present today in the Council of Ministers – in order to be able to modify, or rather correct – provides for the creation of a government agency for the supervision and financial economic control of professional sports clubs, therefore, on paper, for football and basketball.
Football, the government at the Lupa games
by Francesco Saverio Intorcia
President Malagò, what do you think of that document?
«Regardless of the fact of substance, there is a fact of form: CONI has read that document above Republic, and then on the agencies. And he obtained the draft only through the FIGC, which had received it shortly before from the minister. I would have at least expected it to be sent to us too.”
Can it undermine the principle of the autonomy of sport?
«But before getting to this point, how can we talk about autonomy if there isn’t even respect for form? This is the good morning of history.”
Let’s get into the matter: do you think it was necessary to intervene on the team control system?
«Like all things, we can and, indeed, we must try to improve them. However, this rule was not created to improve the situation. But to change the rules of the game.”
And do you or the federations involved have room to assert a contrary position?
«I read that there will be corrections, I don’t know how significant. This is a significant word which lends itself to various interpretations.”
Will UEFA and FIFA, who weeks ago sent warnings to the Spanish federation following the government’s administration, calmly accept this political interference in Italian football?
«I say this very frankly, I have serious doubts that this speech can be accepted by international sports bodies. Therefore, at the very least, this must be verified before taking any position on a regulatory level. Otherwise we risk making a global fool and, unfortunately, Italian governments are no strangers to similar situations. In the past, positions have been held that they were then forced to change. We’ve been through this before.”
Control over club budgets, Abodi modifies the text and tells Gravina: “He’s known for a long time.” The reply: “he is telling lies”
We didn’t talk about the timing of the story.
«Another question that cuts across all other reasoning. And that’s another problem. On May 6th we are in the midst of registering for the championships. Covisoc produces its activity, the documentation must be produced by May 31st, because then by June 30th Covisoc must manage its dynamics”.
How do you explain this rush?
«Honestly, I can’t explain it. As soon as a law decree is voted on, it is immediately enforceable. If it passes, between now and May 31st this agency should make appointments, choose the figures and be operational immediately. You tell me.”
How did the method remind you of the birth of Sport and Health, when the government took away from CONI the safe of public funds from the federations?
«As a method, yes. Among other things, I understand that Covisoc is chaired by a figure whose name and curriculum are a guarantee, as Germana Panzironi. I repeat, everything can be improved as long as it is not imposed from above.”
So, in summary?
«All this makes us understand the nonsense of this story. Because the form is paradoxically wrong. There is a big question mark with international bodies. And there is this problem of substance. Are we joking or what?”.
From a form point of view, what would have been acceptable?
«If they had said “we’ll face it in September” it would have been perfect. And all together: government, Mef, those in charge of sport, Coni, FIGC, Federbasket and the leagues.”
And instead, in essence?
«With the recent labor reform, which came into force ad hoursOn the part of this government, the control of sports clubs is no longer a matter that concerns only professional championships, football and basketball. For example Paola Egonu, who plays volleyball, became a sports worker. If there is someone who decides that a club should not be entered into a championship or should not be allowed to continue a championship, this type of evaluation should be made for each team discipline.”
Whoever wrote the rule clearly didn’t think about this.
«If they had consulted us they probably would have constructed the issue differently. And I would like to say that this type of decisions, assuming they are logical, if they are not agreed upon beforehand, lead to situations that are certainly not in favor of those who propose them. I mean from the point of view of consent.”
Also under discussion is the Mulè law, which would like to give the government the possibility of appointing two members of the army to the CONI council.
«Mulè is a friend. I told him a thousand times: everything can be done, but one element is essential. Whoever joins the council is elected by his world. Military sports groups should structure and organize local elections at the provincial or regional level that lead to an electoral dynamic. Second question: whoever goes to the council represents himself, not a third party. So if a soldier enters, at that moment he can no longer be a soldier, because the IOC will never be able to accept a soldier who answers to others in the Council.”
#Malagò #Abodi #reform #disgrace #world #Football
– 2024-05-06 10:44:05
