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Russian brand deal purely commercial, says ex-Italy midfielder Pirlo

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Andrea Pirlo addressed controversy over his commercial partnership with a Russian brand, stating it was "exclusively commercial and sporting."
  • He clarified that the agreement originated during his coaching spell in the UAE and does not reflect political views.
  • Pirlo expressed disappointment that a purely commercial matter had become a public controversy.

Former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo has broken his silence regarding a commercial partnership with a Russian brand, emphasizing that the deal is purely "commercial and sporting in nature."

I chose to remain silent in recent days out of respect for the Italian Football Federation and everyone involved.

— Andrea PirloExplaining his delay in commenting on the controversy.

Amid speculation linking him to the Italian national team's head coaching position, Pirlo stated on Monday, as reported by Fabrizio Romano on X, that he had intentionally refrained from commenting out of respect for the Italian Football Federation and those involved in the selection process.

Pirlo stressed that throughout his career, both as a player and a coach, he has consistently acted in compliance with the laws of the countries where he has worked and the contractual obligations he has undertaken. He explained that the agreement with the Russian brand originated during his coaching tenure in the United Arab Emirates.

Throughout my career, both as a player and as a coach, I have always worked in full compliance with the laws of the countries in which I have been employed and with the contracts I have signed.

— Andrea PirloAsserting his adherence to legal and contractual obligations.

"To attribute a political meaning to this agreement is to attribute opinions to me that I have never expressed and that do not belong to me," Pirlo stated, dismissing claims that the collaboration reflected his political views. He expressed gratitude to Paolo Maldini and Leonardo for their enduring trust, respect, and professionalism towards him and Italian football.

The agreement originated during my coaching spell in the United Arab Emirates and insisted it was exclusively commercial and sporting in nature.

— Andrea PirloClarifying the nature and origin of his partnership with a Russian brand.

Concluding his statement, the 2006 World Cup winner conveyed his disappointment that a matter he considers strictly sporting and commercial had become a subject of public debate. "My love for Italy is part of my history and my identity, and it does not depend on whether I hold the position of national team head coach," Pirlo added.

To attribute a political meaning to this agreement is to attribute opinions to me that I have never expressed and that do not belong to me.

— Andrea PirloDenying any political implications of the commercial deal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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