Why Did CONI Place the Italian Weightlifting Federation Under Emergency Administration?
CONI’s National Board stepped in following an emergency meeting at the Foro Italico in Rome, prompted by an acute governance crisis within FIPE. After securing a near-unanimous election with 99% of the vote in 2024, Miglietta saw his proposed amendments to the federal statute rejected by an extraordinary assembly. The resulting deadlock among the leadership made it impossible to maintain regular operations, triggering the resignation of the majority of the board. Rather than attempting to limp through to future elections with a fractured administration, Miglietta chose to step down and hand control over to CONI. The board stated unanimously that it was no longer possible to guarantee the normal functioning of the federation’s governing bodies.
Who is Taking Over FIPE Management?
CONI appointed Luciano Buonfiglio to serve as special commissioner of the weightlifting federation. Buonfiglio holds the responsibility of maintaining administrative and technical continuity for the sport while steering the organization toward a new elective assembly. The governing body confirmed that the election will be scheduled as quickly as possible to restore normal democratic oversight to the federation.
What Led to Alberto Miglietta’s Resignation?
Miglietta, a Milanese chartered accountant born in 1960, took over the FIPE presidency in 2024 as the sole candidate, succeeding Antonio Urso, who had led the organization since 2005. His tenure at the helm of weightlifting was brief compared to his extensive background in Italian sports administration, which included serving as the chief executive of Coni Servizi—later rebranded as Sport and Salute—from 2013 to 2019, and presiding over the Italian Badminton Federation from 2004 to 2017. The turning point for his weightlifting presidency arrived when the extraordinary assembly voted down his structural statutory reforms, fracturing the trust between the leadership and the internal assembly.
How Does This Fit Into the Wider Crisis Across Italian Sports Federations?
The turmoil at FIPE highlights a broader wave of administrative instability affecting Italian sports governance. The Italian Cricket Federation (FiCr) was placed under commissioner rule on February 26, 2026, following the resignation of six federal councillors amid a high-profile legal controversy involving the former women’s national team coach. In addition to cricket and weightlifting, the Italian Modern Pentathlon Federation was placed under administration in July 2025 following an expense reimbursement scandal that led to the suspension of president Fabrizio Bittner. The Italian Rafting Federation (FIRAFT) faced a similar fate in June 2026 after five of its seven councillors resigned, with Andrea Mancino named to manage its affairs. Meanwhile, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) continues to handle its own ongoing institutional pressures.
Who Leads the Italian Weightlifting Federation
When was Alberto Miglietta originally elected to lead the Italian Weightlifting Federation?
Miglietta was elected president of FIPE in 2024 as the sole candidate, securing 99.68% of the vote to succeed long-serving president Antonio Urso.
Who has been appointed to run FIPE during the emergency administration?
CONI named Luciano Buonfiglio as the special commissioner to manage the federation’s administrative and technical operations until a new elective assembly is held.
Which other sports bodies are currently under CONI commissioner rule?
Alongside FIPE and cricket, the Italian Modern Pentathlon Federation and the Italian Rafting Federation are currently operating under emergency commissioners due to internal resignations and governance disputes.
Where did the emergency CONI board meeting take place?
The National Board of CONI convened its emergency session at the Foro Italico complex in Rome to evaluate the institutional breakdown within weightlifting.
Next Steps for the Federation
Luciano Buonfiglio will oversee FIPE’s day-to-day administrative duties and technical operations while preparing the organization for the upcoming elective assembly, which CONI mandated must take place in the shortest possible timeframe.
