Italy’s repechage to the World Cup, minister Abodi slams the Azzurri
Sports and Youth Minister Andrea Abodi rules out the possibility of Italy’s repechage to the World Cup, linked to the risk of exclusion of the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the Ebola emergency. Speaking on the sidelines of Sky Inclusion Days, Abodi told Adnkronos that “it would be neither possible nor appropriate,” recalling how regulations provide for possible replacements only within the same continental confederation. “A national team like ours must qualify on the field,” the minister added.
Abodi then also commented on the absence of AC Milan and Juventus from the upcoming Champions League, calling it the result of mistakes made during the season: “When competing there is always someone better and the verdict of the field should be accepted and respected.” However, according to the minister, the exclusion of the two teams can become an opportunity for reflection to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the next championship. In spite of everything, he stressed that the Champions League retains its appeal regardless of the participating teams, hoping that the Italian clubs still in the running can make it as far as possible.
On the difficult moment in Italian soccer, Abodi pointed out that there is no direct link between the clubs’ results and those of the national team, although he acknowledged that the recent eliminations in the qualifiers and the absence from four Olympics represent worrying signs. To reverse the trend, the minister points above all to young Italians: “The talent has not disappeared, it has only fallen asleep. We need those who know how to awaken it and clubs willing to give space to the youngsters.”
Finally, Abodi also spoke on the issue of Giovanni Malagò’s ineligibility for the presidency of the FIGC, calling it “a technical-legal issue.” The minister announced that he will respond in the coming days to the parliamentary question received, then asking for an official pronouncement from the competent bodies.
Andrea Duilio, CEO of Sky Italia commented, “For a company like Sky that thrives on creativity, content and different points of view, inclusion and diversity have a special value. It is no coincidence that we have always dealt with it and have never stopped doing so. That is why it is a great satisfaction to see Sky Inclusion Days grow year after year. The strength of this event lies in its ability to talk about these issues not through abstract principles, but starting from people’s stories. This is how inclusion becomes something concrete, capable of creating value for people and communities.”
