Gabriele Gravina admits he feared Italy would follow France in ending its season early and is hopeful there will be a ‘big surprise’ for women’s football.
The Italian campaign resumed last week with the Coppa Italia semi-finals, and Gravina is confident the ‘last piece of the jigsaw’ with regards to fans being let back through the turnstiles will fall into place soon.
“Over 15 million watched the Coppa Italia,” he told Radio Anch’io Sport.
Gabriele Gravina admits he feared Italy would follow France in ending its season early and is hopeful there will be a ‘big surprise’ for women’s football.
The Italian campaign resumed last week with the Coppa Italia semi-finals, and Gravina is confident the ‘last piece of the jigsaw’ with regards to fans being let back through the turnstiles will fall into place soon.
“Over 15 million watched the Coppa Italia,” he told Radio Anch’io Sport.
“We hope just as many tune in on Wednesday [for the Final]. We’re moving towards normality, it’s an important step for the country.
“The terrible experiences we all went through mustn’t be forgotten: we need them to improve as people and men of sport.
“The country is re-establishing its relational spaces: the last piece of the jigsaw is missing. If the curve keeps coming down, fans in stadia will be that last piece.”
The FIGC President was then asked if he had feared the 2019-20 campaign would be cancelled following the abandonment of Ligue 1.
“Yes, especially when France abandoned all its leagues. We had a constant and collaborative relationship with Minister Spadafora.
“I must point out that his prudence allowed us to start again at the right time. I must recognise this sense of responsibility and sign of respect for the Italian people.”
Finally, he expressed optimism that developments in women’s football were on the horizon, despite its Serie A season being terminated with immediate effect.
“It won’t restart from scratch next season, I can assure you. I was very sorry [to see it abandoned], but I can confirm that we’ll talk a lot about women’s football at the Federal Council on the 25th.
“I hope there will be a big surprise that day.”