Italy Sports Minister ‘surprised’ by lack of self-criticism after Azzurri ‘disaster’ | OneFootball

Italy Sports Minister Andrea Abodi admits he was ‘surprised’ by the lack of self-criticism after the Azzurri elimination from EURO 2024.

Italy Sports Minister Abodi blames players and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina after an EURO 2024 elimination in the Round of 16 at the hands of Switzerland.

“I was in Berlin and witnessed not the bitterness of a defeat because sports teach how to lose but the bitterness of a disaster. A moral surrender,” he told RTL, as quoted by Gazzetta.

“There was no reaction. There were no flashes from those who must emerge at difficult moments.”

Players “were unable to show the moral strength that the Azzurri shirt must inspire,” continued the Sports Minister.

“I was surprised by the search for responsibility elsewhere. When you lose, the first thing that must emerge is self-criticism. It’s too easy to look at others’ responsibilities or errors. Once again, sports teach how to take direct responsibility.”

FIGC President Giovanni Malagò also blamed Italy players, revealing that Gravina felt ‘betrayed.’