The Malagò case: here’s who will decide on the appointment of a commissioner for the FIGC
There are 17 members of the executive committee, but some may not vote due to conflicts of interest. There are doubts regarding the positions of Bianchedi and Spina. The possibility of mediation between Buonfiglio and the FIGC president is gaining ground
Key points
There are now just a few hours to go before the CONI Executive Committee meets to decide on the case of FIGC President Giovanni Malagò. On Tuesday 6 October, at 1.00 pm, the Olympic Committee’s executive body will be called upon to determine whether his lack of membership at the time of his candidacy and election – in which he secured almost 70 per cent of the vote – constitutes a serious breach, such as to justify placing the Italian Football Federation under special administration. The Executive Board consists of 17 members, although not all of them will vote.
The composition of the council
Members of the executive committee may attend the meeting in person or via video link and will have access to the opinions of the legal experts consulted by CONI and the FIGC, who in recent days have issued conflicting rulings on the need to place the federation under special administration. The vote will be open, but a secret ballot may be held upon request. Approval will require a majority; in the event of a tie, the motion will be deemed rejected.
The members of the Olympic Committee’s executive body are President Buonfiglio, Secretary-General Carlo Mornati, the two Vice-Presidents Diana Bianchedi and Marco Di Paola, and the directors Tania Cagnotto, Giovanni Copioli (motorcycling), Francesco Ettorre (sailing), Laura Lunetta (dance sport and musical sports) and Francesco Montini. In addition to these are the athletes Giampaolo Ricci and Valentina Rodini, the coach Elisabet Spina, the representative of the Regional Committees Marco Riva, the representative of the Territorial Committees Domenico Ignozza, the representative of the Sports Promotion Bodies Juri Morico and, finally, the two members of the International Olympic Committee: Federica Pellegrini and Malagò himself.
Who votes and who doesn’t
Not all members of the executive committee, however, will take part in the vote. First and foremost, Secretary-General Mornati (who will act as notary) and Malagò – who may leave the room when the vote takes place – will be excluded from the ballot.
It is also possible that some members may be unable to vote due to potential conflicts of interest. There are still numerous questions surrounding the role of Diana Bianchedi who, in light of her recent resignation as head of the FIGC delegation, would be entitled to vote. Should her vote prove decisive, however, the decision could subsequently be challenged. Also still under discussion is the possible incompatibility of Spina, head of the women’s section at Milan, the club that had backed Malagò’s candidacy.
