Frustrated Former FIGC President Slams Inter Milan Starlet After Decisive Italy Penalty Miss: ‘Maybe I Should Be A Better Footballer’

Frustrated Former FIGC President Slams Inter Milan Starlet After Decisive Italy Penalty Miss: ‘Maybe I Should Be A Better Footballer’

Gabriele Gravina resigned as FIGC president following Italy’s third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup – but has now taken a pointed and sarcastic dig at Inter Milan’s Francesco Pio Esposito and Roma’s Bryan Cristante over their decisive penalty misses against Bosnia.

Speaking to Corriere della Sera about stepping down, Gravina was unable to resist a barb directed at the players who blazed over from the spot in the shootout.

“Perhaps I should have been a better footballer,” he said sarcastically, via FCInterNews.

“I missed two penalties against Switzerland and three goal-scoring chances against Bosnia, and then from the spot I hit one over the bar and another onto the crossbar. Perhaps I should have trained more.”

Ex FIGC Chief Gravina Admits He Had Considered Resigning Before The Play-Offs & Aims Dig At Inter Starlet Pio Esposito

On his decision to step down, Gravina was reflective and dignified.

“I take my responsibilities. I did not keep the promise I made to Italian fans, I had said we would go to the World Cup even by swimming. The resignation is a final act of love for football. And I could not allow the attacks on me to penalise the Federation.”

He also revealed the resignation had been building for some time.

“Even before the play-offs I had thought about standing aside, not because I did not feel up to the task, but because of the constraints, ties and impediments that hold back the growth and development of the movement. And all of that, allow me to say, is frustrating.”

Gravina painted a grim picture of his daily existence since the elimination.

“I am almost living as a recluse, between home and the Federation.”

On the wider societal context, he was equally troubled.

“Football is the litmus test of our society, and in certain moments it becomes a place of ferocious frustration and blind judgement. I had hoped we would emerge better from Covid, instead, certain instincts have actually worsened.”

On his successor, he was careful not to play kingmaker.

“I will not be the director of the future or back anyone. The components will show responsibility and identify a candidate capable of attracting the broadest possible consensus.”