Italy flop, Gravina won’t resign: "Used to these demands… Confirming Gattuso"

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina is not resigning after the Azzurri’s defeat to Bosnia and the third consecutive World Cup missed: “The state of mind is obvious. Especially the way the result matured. Congratulations to the boys. It’s sorry that many were not able to appreciate the atmosphere we have lived with them in these months out of determination and pride to give a joy to our fans.”

Gravina wanted to armor Gattuso despite the missed qualification: “Congratulations to Gattuso, he is a great coach. There have been misunderstandings about the future. I asked him and Buffon to stay. The defeat comes at a time of great harmony. You all saw the game. There is little to comment on. Gattuso called the boys heroic, they gave all they could give.”

On his resignation: “There are several evaluations to be made. The technical part I safeguard 100 percent. The political part, on the other hand, concerns the Federal Council that I have convened for next week. We will make evaluations internally. I understand the call for resignation. I am used to this exercise, but evaluations are rightfully up to the Federal Council as provided by the rules.”

On Turpin’s refereeing: “There were some applications and choices that, as the coach said, left some perplexities. We will make much more in-depth reflections next week, because his question requires an answer in the appropriate forum.”