Italy: Andrea Abodi appointed Minister of Sports and Youth in the government of Giorgia Meloni

Andrea Abodi, born in Rome (ITA) on 07/03/1960, was appointed Italian Minister of Sports and Youth within the government of Giorgia Meloni (far-right) on 22/10/2022.

He succeeds former fencer Valentina Vezzali, who was "undersecretary for sports" in the government of Mario Draghi (centre) since 12/03/2021.

"This is extraordinary news for Italian sports and for football in particular," said Gabriele Gravina, president of the FIGC.

Andrea Abodi was the president of the Lega Serie B and a member of the federal council of the FIGC from 20/07/2010 to 06/03/2017.

He was also a candidate for the presidency of the Italian Football Federation against the incumbent Carlo Tavecchio on 06/03/2017. Carlo Tavecchio was re-elected with 54.03% of the vote, but resigned on 20/11/2017 after the national team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Andrea Abodi will consequently not become the new general director of Milano Cortina 2026 Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano, the Italian National Olympic Committee