Italian Soccer Federation President (FIGC) Gabriele Gravina has said the crisis of the nation's football movement goes beyond the federation, as he faces calls to quit, including from members of Premier Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
    "The responsibility lies with the football federation and with me," Gravina told a news conference after Italy lost a penalty shoot-out against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Tuesday in the World Cup playoffs final.
    "But the crisis is deep, (Italian) football needs to be redesigned.
    "The FIGC is being talked about as if it were the only player, when, in fact, the federation is the unifying force.
    "There are the leagues, there are the clubs.
    "This is why we need a broader reflection in order to change things.
    "We know we're in a moment of great crisis, which requires a comprehensive reflection that isn't just the responsibility of the federation.
    "It's the responsibility of the world of Italian politics, which only moves fast to demand resignations.
    "However, I would like to ask if there has been just one useful measure for Italian football, if there has been a willingness to support it." Italian soccer is also struggling at club level and no Serie A sides reached the quarter-finals of this year's Champions League.
    Gravina said a decision on whether he should stay in his position will be made at a meeting of the FIGC's council next week.
    He added that he has asked Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso to stay on.

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