In the wake of Italy’s elimination, Aleksander Ceferin highlighted a problem far deeper than mere sporting failure: the state of the infrastructure. The UEFA president’s message is clear, almost blunt: without swift change, Italy could lose the right to host Euro 2032.
Present in Zenica to witness the Nazionale’s defeat, Ceferin did not lay the blame on the players, even defending the federation’s president, Gabriele Gravina. The Slovenian official, however, broadened the debate to deliver a harsh assessment of Italian football, directly targeting political leaders. For him, the issue goes far beyond the pitch.
A structural lag that holds everything back
The lawyer by profession did not mince his words. “Perhaps Italian politicians should ask themselves why Italy has one of the worst infrastructures in Europe,” Ceferin told La Gazzetta dello Sport. A blunt statement, targeting the inaction of the authorities and the difficulties in modernising often ageing stadiums.
In his view, the problem runs deeper. “The biggest problem facing Italian football is the link between football politics and mainstream politics. If everyone pulls together, Italy will once again become a major footballing nation.” Behind this observation lies a whole system that is being targeted, held back by administrative bottlenecks and a lack of coordination. As a result, projects are progressing slowly and struggling to materialise.
The pressure of Euro 2032
The UEFA president also issued a clear warning. “If the infrastructure doesn’t change, Euro 2032 won’t be played in Italy.” He went on to stress: “I hope the infrastructure will be ready; otherwise, the tournament won’t take place in Italy.” This is significant pressure for a country set to co-host the competition with Turkey.
The figures confirm this delay. Between 2007 and 2024, only six stadiums were renovated in Italy, compared with nineteen in Germany and twelve in France. Meanwhile, projects in Bari, Naples and Verona continue to drag their heels, held back by political and administrative deadlocks. A delay which, this time, could have very real consequences.
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