The press conference to present the 40th edition of the Beppe Viola Award took place in the Paolo Rossi room of the FIGC headquarters today. The ceremony to assign the prizes will take place on Monday 23 October in the Salone d’Onore at the headquarters of the Italian National Olympic Committee. Receiving awards are the president of 5-a-side football, Luca Bergamini, coach (and now TV pundit) Andrea Stamaccioni, AS Roma player Edoardo Bove, and journalists Marino Bartoletti and Simona Rolandi. “Culture is a fundamental part of any sector, sport included,” said FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, who spoke in the press conference. “It’s lovely that this prize is associated with a big figure in the game like Beppe Viola.”

Gravina then discussed the ongoing betting scandal and the reaction that it has generated in politics: “We need to set some boundaries for the people who have commented in a non-in-depth manner in recent days. The response from the entire sporting movement, moreover in compliance with this nation's law, is one of respect for the autonomy of our world, which implies another important concept: democracy. Then there’s the issue of awareness. We need to take a closer look at certain topics because there’s a risk that they could damage our game. If the world of football in 2020 had not included sanctions in its statutory principles to target those who engage in betting, we would have had to comply with the laws of the state that provide no sanction for those who bet on legal platforms and a fine for those who do so on illegal platforms. Instead, we believe that we have adopted protective regulations. I also get the feeling that we’re putting some very young guys at risk. I have the duty to defend the many young Italian players who are being used as cannon fodder. We need to look after the moral integrity of these boys and guide them through their growth. This is why our sanctions have – and this has never happened before – a pathway for rehabilitation. We will never abandon them.”

The FIGC president also touched on other topics raised in political circles of late. “I’ve heard talk of doping but not the fact that it is just one case. We have identified it; our task now is to set the rules and punish anybody caught doping. I’ve also heard people discuss television broadcast rights, which is a topic that is not ours to discuss. The Melandri Law places the issues in the hands of the organisers: in this case, Lega Calcio holds the ability and responsibility to deal with it. Infrastructure too: legitimately, the Italian Government have communicated in no uncertain terms that there isn’t room in the budget for such a project. The FIGC isn’t a construction company that builds stadiums; our concern is offering chances to host events such as EURO 2023, which is a national and international triumph. Finally, debts, which have often, as we have maintained, been used to recklessly cover the losses of the last five years. This only generates debt, as do payments in instalments. If there are rulings that lead to bankruptcies because state laws are applied, I do not understand why responsibility is attributed to those who respect these laws.”

Italy were beaten by England at Wembley two days ago. “We played well,” Gravina analysed. “Individual brilliance made the difference. We have a good team; it’s a shame to have missed the odd chance but we’re in a period of growth. Difficulties in bringing young talent through have hurt us, however, we are trying to work with the clubs to try and create a pathway that leads us to EURO 2024.”