Euro 2032: Ceferin Concerned About Politics in Italian Soccer—What Are the Risks?

Italy is going through a difficult period in soccer. The three World Cup failures and the ongoing chaos at the federation level—such as the current “Malagò affair,” yet another problem within the FIGC—are weighing heavily on the country.

Fortunately, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: the hosting of Euro 2032, the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. The problem is that, as of now, the project has been “held back” by many factors, particularly political interference.

Ceferin is fully aware of what is happening in Italy regarding the national soccer federation. This is an unwelcome situation, as he explained to *La Gazzetta dello Sport*: “Any form of political interference could undermine the trust of UEFA and other partners, which would not be in the interest of either Italian soccer or the tournament,” said the UEFA president.

In short, a clear message to Italy: resolve every issue quickly and push hard on the Euro 2032 project, which, as of now, appears to be behind schedule. New infrastructure is needed, along with flawless organization and a federation led by people who are “free” to act in the best interests of soccer. Time is running out; it’s best to take action—not least to avoid further angering UEFA.