Italy’s Euro 2032 hosting rights under threat

Italy could lose its right to co-host the UEFA Euro 2032 football championship amid concerns over potential external administration of the country’s football federation, according to Calcio e Finanza.

The possible intervention follows a corruption investigation involving the Italian football system. The Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office has reportedly brought charges of sports fraud against Gianluca Rocchi, head of the National Referees’ Commission, who is accused of appointing referees allegedly favourable to Inter Milan. Rocchi has resigned from his position.

The developments have raised concerns over governance within Italian football, with reports suggesting that Inter Milan could face severe sanctions, including the possibility of trophy revocations and relegation to Serie B.

If external administration were imposed on the Italian football federation, Italian clubs could also face exclusion from European competitions, according to the report.

During a meeting with Serie A president Ezio Simonelli, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin reportedly warned that political interference in football governance could lead to sanctions, including the removal of Italy’s hosting rights for Euro 2032.

Euro 2032 is scheduled to be the 19th edition of the UEFA European Championship, held every four years. The tournament is expected to expand to 32 teams, although UEFA has not ruled out maintaining the current 24-team format.

In October 2023, UEFA confirmed at its Congress in Nyon, Switzerland, that Euro 2032 would be jointly hosted by Italy and Türkiye.

By Sabina Mammadli