Ceferin's comments highlight the ongoing instability in Italian football, which has been far from stable since Giovanni Malagò's election as FIGC President in June. Malagò is likely to be dethroned in the coming weeks by CONI, paving the way for the FIGC to be placed under special administration. The UEFA President has consistently emphasised the importance of autonomy and independence in football institutions.
Malagò didn't formally have a FIGC membership, which is required to run for the presidency. This technicality has been cited as a reason for his potential removal. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Malagò was in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy on March 05, 2026, where he was speaking at the mural inauguration ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.
Italian football is still far from stable, and the UEFA President's warning serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of political interference in the sport.