ROME, APR 2 -   Gabriele Gravina on Thursday resigned as president of the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) after Italy failed to get to the World Cup for three times in a row after losing to Bosnia in their qualifying play-off final on Tuesday.

The Azzurri, four times World Cup winners, are the only former world champions to miss out on three straight tournaments.

Gravina's successor will be elected on June 22, the FIGC said.
Gravina said he was saddened, but resigning was a firm decision, and thanked the FIGC members for their support and insistence that he should carry on despite the disaster, the second on his watch which also saw a European championship win.
"After so many years, there is great sadness, but also serenity.
I thank the members who, even today, have shown me great closeness, respect, support, and even insistence in (saying I should) continue.
"But my decision was already firm and well-considered," he said.  
   
   

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