Andrea Pirlo announced that he had been excluded from the list of candidates to coach the Italian national team.
Pirlo was excluded from coaching Italy because of his work as an ambassador for a Russian betting company.
Pirlo wrote in an official statement: "Out of respect for the institutions, the federation and all concerned, I preferred to remain silent until now, but after learning last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italian national team, I feel it is my duty to clarify some matters."
He added: "I thank Maldini and Leonardo; throughout my career, as a player and coach, I have always adhered to the laws of the countries in which I worked and the contracts I signed. The professional cooperation that was at the center of the recent controversy arose in the context of my work experience in the United Arab Emirates, and it is purely commercial and sporting in nature. Attributing political connotations to this cooperation means ascribing to me beliefs I have never expressed and that are not mine."
He concluded: "I would like to thank Maldini and Leonardo for the appreciation and trust they placed in me. I know their experience, seriousness and love for Italian football. I regret that a sporting decision was quickly dragged into a public debate that ended with attributing meanings and intentions to me that have nothing to do with it. My love for Italy is not something that depends on the mission; it is part of my history and identity, and will always remain with me."
La Gazzetta dello Sport had earlier reported that Pirlo's work with the Russian betting company conflicts with his country's relationship with Russia since the Russian-Ukrainian war.
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.