Abodi gave a very honest and fair statement in his address to the media today. He says there is almost no chance for Italy to participate in the World Cup, but he also would not like that to happen because it is not fair. "It is a continental issue. It really seems very unlikely that we could replace Iran, unless it is resolved within Europe," said Abodi. Italy will miss a third consecutive World Cup, and Abodi quite realistically conveyed that he hopes it will not come to Italy having to replace Iran at the World Cup. "I don't think it can happen, and honestly, I wouldn't hope for it," added Abodi, who watched the match from the stands of Bilino Polje in Zenica alongside the now former president of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina, and the head of the Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vico Zeljkoviฤ‡. Recall that on that occasion, the Dragons defeated Italy 4-1 in a penalty shootout, thus directly leaving the Azzurri without a spot at the World Cup, while securing their own ticket to the showcase of the world's best football teams.