Galliani idea if Malago removed as FIGC President over irregularity

CAGLIARI, ITALY - NOVEMBER 26: Adriano Galliani of Monza looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Monza at Sardegna Arena on November 26, 2023 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

If Giovanni Malagò is removed as FIGC President over an election irregularity, then ex-Milan and Monza CEO Adriano Galliani is emerging as a possible replacement.

The June election was a landslide decision, but could be voided over a lawyer’s appeal noting that at the time Malagò was not a registered member of the Italian Football Federation.

This is because he had until recently been the President of the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee), which oversees all Italian sport.

It is increasingly likely that Malagò will be forced to step down and the FIGC placed under a special commissioner, who will then set up a new election.

Galliani ready to step up

According to La Repubblica newspaper, several Serie A clubs are preparing for this eventuality by closing in on a suitable successor, specifically Adriano Galliani.

The 82-year-old is currently a senator for Silvio Berlusconi’s old Forza Italia party, and had been a key figure by Berlusconi’s side for four decades between Milan and Monza.

The idea would be to have Galliani lead the Federation through a brief two-year transition period until there can be new elections.

A special commissioner is likely to be confirmed around October 6-10, after the break for international duty.

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis also hit out at the push to have Malagò removed over what is purely a technicality in the election process.

“Malagò is the only one capable of getting Italian football back on track, but they want to bring him down because someone else is targeting his spot,” said De Laurentiis.

“(Minister for the Economy and Finance Giancarlo) Giorgetti and (Minister for Sport Andrea) Abodi have always created problems for football.”

There is always the possibility of Malagò receiving his FIGC registration and then running for election again, but he might not necessarily have all the Serie A clubs backing him this time.

It is reported that sides like Inter, Juventus, Roma and Atalanta are not convinced by his first few months in charge.