Following the defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was the final straw as Italy fails to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, the big question of responsibility has opened up, and there is already talk about what is "rotten."
Several resignations have already been submitted, and former Milan talent Federico Mangiameli is making shocking accusations against Italian football and what goes on, from Serie A down to the lower and youth leagues.
Although he is a lower-league player who only played in Serie A at the youth level, he had his eyes on everything, experienced and witnessed various injustices, and was among the first to speak out publicly about it all.
Mangiameli revealed that managers pay up to 50,000 euros to secure spots for players in lower leagues starting from Serie C (the third tier).
He revealed that the problem is the overpayment of foreign players in Serie A, and that no consideration is given to domestic, Italian players, who are not paid nearly what they deserve.
According to his accusations, very few coaches in Italy have control over their own starting lineups, and they are paid in advance.
He also revealed that domestic footballers face disrespect from club officials and club owners.
He stated that nepotism, record falsification, and other corrupt practices are ubiquitous and widespread in clubs, making Italian football rotten.
"I have seen disgusting things related to money. I saw how club leaders treated my teammates in a shameful manner and without any respect. All of this is part of the Italian football system that I, fortunately, left some time ago," says Mangiameli.
The former young footballer claims that he personally witnessed payments of 50,000 euros, became convinced of everything, and no longer wanted to be involved in football.
He says that the result of such practices is the defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, meaning the fact that Italy is not going to the World Cup this year either.