Gravina at the helm in Italy

Gabriele Gravina has been elected as the new president of the Italian Football Association (FIGC).

He was the only candidate, and succeeds Carlo Tavecchio, who stepped down in November 2017.

Gravina called for unity and teamwork under his presidency. “Because this is what the Azzurri shirt, the world of football and the whole of Italy want from us.” He urged dialogue and respect, as part of a football placing emphasis on families and young people, and played in modern stadiums.

Born in the southern city of Castellaneta, the 65-year-old lawyer was the president of football club Castel di Sangro between 1984 and 1996, when the club from a village of around 5,000 inhabitants rose through the divisions to eventually reach Serie B.

He has also been the head of the Italy U21 delegation for several years.

In 2008, Gravina started his academic career, becoming a professor in sports management and organisation of sporting events at the University of Teramo.

In 2015, he was elected as president of Lega Pro, the third tier in Italian football, a role he maintained until earlier this month.