Diana Bianchedi’s story in *Nazione* is already making headlines; the FIGC’s clarification
There would be no conflict of interest in the appointment of Diana Bianchedi—vice president and member of the CONI Executive Committee—as head of the Italian national soccer team delegation. Sources within the FIGC have clarified the federation’s position, explaining to ANSA that the role entrusted to the former fencer does not present any incompatibility with her position within the Olympic Committee.
“We see no conflict of interest in the appointment of Diana Bianchedi as head of the Italian national soccer team delegation,” emphasized federation sources, speaking out after CONI issued a statement announcing its intention to assess the appropriateness of the appointment and any potential conflicts of interest.
The FIGC first refers to the regulatory framework. “There is no state or statutory provision that expressly provides for an incompatibility between the role of CONI Executive Committee member and a federation position,” the sources explain. Furthermore, according to the federation, the position would not even constitute the permanent conflict of interest referred to in Article 7 of the CONI Statute.
The central point of the FIGC’s position concerns the very nature of the role assigned to Bianchedi. “It is a purely representative role,” the sources clarify, emphasizing that the new head of delegation would not be called upon to perform operational or decision-making functions within the federation. “Moreover, the position entrusted to Bianchedi is considered to be one of purely representative and institutional support for the national team and the FIGC,” the federation adds.
The matter remains under scrutiny, however, following CONI’s statement, in which it announced an assessment of the appropriateness of the appointment and the possible existence of conflicts of interest. The FIGC, for its part, reiterates its interpretation: there is no conflict of interest and no incompatibility under the regulations, as the role entrusted to Bianchedi is viewed exclusively as an institutional and representative position.
