Andrea Pirlo said Monday that he is no longer in the running to be the new coach of the Italian national team after a furore erupted over his sponsorship of Russian betting agency Fonbet.
    "I learned last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italian national team coaching position," the former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder and key member of the Azzurri's 2006 World Cup-winning team said via social media.
    The 47-year-old, who is currently in charge of Dubai United, had previously expressed "great bitterness" about the row over the sponsorship.
    "Throughout my career, I have always conducted my work in full compliance with the laws of the countries where I have worked and the contracts I have signed," he said.
    "The professional collaboration at the centre of recent controversy is exclusively of a commercial and sporting nature; to attribute a political significance to it is to attribute beliefs that I have never expressed and that do not reflect my views to me.
    "I would like to thank (Italian Soccer Federation Technical Director Paolo) Maldini and (FIGC consultant) Leonardo for their esteem and trust.
    "Love for Italy does not depend on a position".
    Pirlo's arrival on the Azzurri bench had looked a certain thing last week when Pep Guardiola turned down the FIGC's offer for him to take the job, as he was reportedly seen as the next-best option by Maldini.
    The initial scepticism about the appointment focused on the modest results achieved in his coaching career so far.
    But FIGC President Giovanni Malagò reportedly blocked the appointment at the weekend amid the furore over Pirlo's endorsement of Fonbet which, among other things, saw him attend an event in Moscow in May.
    Aside from the question of whether it would be acceptable for the new coach of the national team to have been linked to Russia amid its war of aggression on Ukraine, there is also the issue of gambling advertising being banned in Italy.
    Another question regards a possible conflict of interest as one of Pirlo's children is a soccer agent.
    The same issue could be raised in relation to Maldini, who also has a son who is an agent, and there is talk of the former Milan and Italy defending great stepping down from his FIGC role because of this and because of Pirlo's appointment falling through.

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