Carlo Tavecchio has been elected as the new president of the Italian Football Federation replacing Giancarlo Abete.
The 71-year-old had been the favourite to succeed Abete having had the backing of all Serie A clubs apart from Juventus and Roma, before he sparked outrage while discussing the arrival of foreign players in Italy which prompted several leading clubs to withdraw their support for him.
However the former head of the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti, Italy’s amateur football structure, got 63.63% of the votes in the third round of balloting while runner-up Demetrio Albertini received 33.95% of the votes cast by 274 delegates.
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani congratulated Tavecchio after his victory at the Hilton Hotel in Fiumicino, Rome.
“Almost all the clubs from Serie A, B, Lega Pro and the amateur league voted for Carlo Tavecchio,” he said. “I would say the most important fact is that the four leagues are united for the very first time.”
“I will be a president for everyone, especially those who have legitimately expressed their concerns about me taking the job and therefore didn’t vote for me,” Tavecchio pledged speaking to FIGC.it following his election.
“I wish to thank those who have shown their faith in me and who have supported me during some difficult times.
“Reforming the system can only be done if we work together and embrace a culture of hard work. I invite all members to abandon feelings of division and to get to work.”
His first job will be to choose a new coach for the Italian national team with former Juventus coach Antonio Conte and former Manchester City and Galatasaray manager Roberto Mancini reportedly front runners for the position previously occupied by Cesare Prandelli.
