Press reports stated that negotiations between the Italian Federation and Andrea Pirlo to coach the national team have deteriorated in the past hours.
Paolo Maldini, the technical director of the Italian Federation, settled on appointing Pirlo as coach of Italy in the coming period.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the past hours witnessed a deterioration in negotiations between the Italian Federation and Pirlo.
The report explained that the reason is that Pirlo has been working as an ambassador for a Russian betting company for some time.
The report pointed out that Pirlo's work with the Russian betting company conflicts with his country's relations with Russia since the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The reputable newspaper claimed that there is strong objection within the Italian parliament to news of Pirlo's appointment as coach of the Azzurri, as they believe he did not take his country's interests into account in his work as an ambassador with the Russian company.
Despite Maldini and Giovanni Malago, president of the Italian Federation, agreeing on Pirlo's appointment, the situation changed in the last hours.
The Italian Federation had begun negotiations with the Emirati club United FC, which Pirlo leads, to terminate his contract with the club, but without paying any money to the club.