Overview
- FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, speaking after Italy’s penalty loss to Bosnia, said football is professional while other sports are amateur and “sport di Stato,” excepting skater Arianna Fontana.
- Reactions that spread Wednesday saw athletes from track, swimming, boxing and winter sports condemn the remarks, with Mattia Furlani, Gregorio Paltrinieri, Irma Testa, Pietro Sighel and Tommaso Giacomel all speaking out.
- Federica Pellegrini amplified Testa’s message that many champions train more than footballers yet earn less than players’ cooks or nannies.
- Former NBA player Andrea Bargnani, in a LinkedIn post, argued professionalism is measured by dedication rather than pay and cited a reported €531 million 2025 loss for Serie A to question football’s standing.
- Bargnani referenced the Fiamme Oro police sports group to note many elite athletes are on state payrolls, which shapes legal labels but not their full‑time training reality.