Italian Football in Transition: Search for New FIGC President Begins After Gravina Resignation

The leadership of Italian football is facing a definitive shift. Gabriele Gravina has resigned as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), triggering a high-stakes race to fill one of the most influential roles in global sports. As the federation prepares for an extraordinary election, the name of Damiano Tommasi has emerged as a potential successor to lead the organization through its current volatility.

The announcement came following a pivotal meeting at the FIGC headquarters in Rome, where Gravina informed the heads of the federation’s primary components of his decision to step down. The move leaves a vacuum at the top of the Italian game just as the sport grapples with structural challenges and political scrutiny.

The Roadmap to June 22

To ensure stability and the continuity of professional operations, the FIGC has scheduled an Extraordinary Elective Assembly for June 22 in Rome. This date was selected specifically to comply with federal statutes and to ensure the incoming governance can oversee the critical registration procedures for the upcoming professional championships. This timeline provides a tight window for candidates to build coalitions among the federation’s diverse stakeholders.

During the resignation meeting, Gravina was flanked by the top representatives of the Italian football pyramid, including:

• Ezio Maria Simonelli (Lega Calcio Serie A)
• Paolo Bedin (Lega B)
• Matteo Marani (Lega Pro)
• Giancarlo Abete (National Amateur League)
• Umberto Calcagno (Italian Footballers’ Association)
• Renzo Ulivieri (Italian Football Coaches Association)

Gravina, who held the position since February 2025, expressed gratitude to these representatives for their support, even as he prepares to exit the stage. The transition is not merely administrative; it is a moment for the FIGC to redefine its direction after a period of internal tension.

The Tommasi Factor: From the Pitch to the Mayor’s Office

As the federation looks toward June, Damiano Tommasi has surfaced as a prominent name in the conversation for the presidency. Tommasi offers a rare blend of athletic prestige, administrative experience, and political leadership that appeals to various factions within the FIGC.

A former stalwart midfielder for AS Roma, Tommasi is well-regarded for his career on the pitch, including an Italian league title and a Supercoppa Italiana. However, his qualifications for the FIGC presidency extend far beyond his playing days. From May 2, 2011, to November 30, 2020, Tommasi served as the president of the Italian Footballers’ Association (AIC), giving him direct experience managing the interests of professional players.

Since June 29, 2022, Tommasi has served as the Mayor of Verona, transitioning his leadership skills into the public sector. This political tenure, combined with his history as a sporting executive, positions him as a candidate capable of navigating the complex intersection of sports governance and government relations—a necessity for any FIGC president.

Political Scrutiny and the April 8 Hearing

While the focus is shifting toward the next president, Gravina’s departure is not without immediate obligations. The outgoing president has committed to appearing before the VII Commission for Culture, Science and Education of the Chamber of Deputies on April 8 at 11:00 a.m. (CEST).

This hearing is expected to be a critical post-mortem of the current state of Italian football. Gravina is slated to present a comprehensive report detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the national movement. Part of this testimony will likely address comments Gravina made during a press conference on March 31, following the national team’s match in Zenica. Gravina has already expressed regret over how his remarks regarding the distinctions between amateur and professional sports were interpreted, clarifying that he never intended to be offensive toward any discipline.

For the global observer, this hearing serves as a barometer for the issues the next president will inherit. Whether the focus remains on the divide between the professional tiers and the amateur grassroots or shifts toward broader financial reforms, the April 8 session will set the agenda for the June election.

Key Timeline for the FIGC Transition

To keep track of the unfolding leadership crisis, here are the verified checkpoints for the coming months:

The stakes for the June 22 assembly are immense. The winner will not only manage the daily operations of the FIGC but will be tasked with ensuring that the registration procedures for the upcoming professional seasons are completed without delay. Any instability in this process could ripple through the entire league structure, affecting everything from player transfers to club licensing.

As the search for a successor intensifies, the federation will be watching closely to observe if a consensus candidate like Tommasi can bridge the gap between the professional interests of Serie A and the expansive needs of the National Amateur League. In a sport as politically charged as Italian football, the ability to unify these disparate groups will be the primary metric of success for the next president.

Next Checkpoint: The FIGC will await the findings and testimony from Gabriele Gravina’s hearing before the Chamber of Deputies on April 8.

Do you think a political leader like Damiano Tommasi is the right fit to lead the FIGC, or does the federation need a pure sporting executive? Let us understand in the comments.