The FIGC has renewed its commitment to supporting cancer research. This morning, Federal President Gabriele Gravina and Fondazione AIRC President Andrea Sironi signed a memorandum of understanding where the Federation pledged to continue to guarantee its support for ‘Un Gol per la Ricerca’ (‘A Goal for Research’), the Fondazione AIRC’s historic fundraising campaign, with the whole of the football world getting involved in the ‘Giorni della Ricerca’ (‘Days of Research’) initiative. Between 2015 and 2022, 1.2 million euros were raised, a figure which amounts to 48 annual scholarships for young researchers in Italy.

As Italy get ready to face North Macedonia in UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying on Friday 17 November at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Head Coach Luciano Spalletti, Delegation Head Gianluigi Buffon and the Azzurri squad will perform the role of AIRC Ambassadors, inviting all fans to donate to the Fondazione AIRC via text message (45521) or on the foundation’s website.

The FIGC will also support the fundraising campaign for cancer research by putting two experiences for two people at the Federal Technical Centre in Coverciano up for auction on CharityStars, through which the winners will have the opportunity to spend an entire day in the company of the Azzurri. Two Corporate Hospitality packages for the match against North Macedonia will also be auctioned.

The Federation will also help raise awareness and inform younger generations about prevention and healthy lifestyles according to the guidelines outlined by the scientific community and promoted by the Fondazione AIRC.

“The protection of the health and well-being of the individual, as well as cancer research, are covered by the fifth pillar of the FIGC’s Sustainability Strategy,” said President Gabriele Gravina. “After all, we strongly believe in football’s role as an accelerator of good practices. We are renewing our commitment with AIRC to support prevention and young researchers, putting in place several projects that will involve Coach Spalletti, Delegation Head Buffon and players from the Italian National Teams. ‘Un Gol per la Ricerca’ is a fantastic campaign that seeks to involve and raise awareness among the large community of football fans and enthusiasts. Together, we want to promote a powerful message of confidence for the future.”

“I’m delighted to have signed this memorandum of understanding with the FIGC today,” added Fondazione AIRC President Andrea Sironi. “It reinforces more than 20 years of fruitful collaboration with the common objective of raising awareness of the importance of prevention and research through the positive model of sport and football. I’d like to thank President Gravina and the entire FIGC team for choosing to deepen their support by boosting the ‘Un Gol per la Ricerca’ campaign through new projects and the participation of the National Youth Teams.”