# Soccer: Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn as candidate to become Italy’s next head coach because of his ties to a Russian betting company. He was regarded as absolute favourite to take over from Gennaro Gattuso, who left in April after the country could yet again not qualify for the World Cup. Pirlo is a global ambassador for Fonbet, which has sponsored several sporting events involving veterans of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Several politicians said anyone promoting Russia after the invasion of Ukraine should not hold a national position.
Soccer: Pirlo withdraws his candidature as Italy’s coach over ties to a Russian betting company