«Intrusive policy on sport, Coni asphalted. No to the reform of sports justice»- Corriere.it

He knows sport better than anyone else, he led it for 14 years as president of Coni, for a lifetime, ahead of Coni and after Coni, he has governed Italian basketball. Sports politics is the gospel of Gianni Petrucci, 77 years old, even if, as a man of faith, he also frequents and reads the real one. He doesn’t like certain acts of politics, sport treated a bit like Rai: “Politics and sport dialogue and go together only spiritually.”

What do you mean?

«Simple, in words they proceed united, in deeds I don’t see points of rapprochement. Too much interference.”

On which side?

«As a former president of Coni, I expect the autonomy of sport to be safeguarded: it is not like this. Every time the government changes, there is talk of sport reform. But is it ever possible? I don’t see all this need, in a sector where victories and organization count».

Some adjustments should be made.

«Politics has every right to reform sport. Over the years we had the Melandri law, then Pescante which corrected the Melandri, after Lotti, then the Giorgetti reform and now here we go again. I remember that I was in favor of the Giorgetti reform, of the care and diffusion of grassroots sport, of commitment to school, many other presidents were with me, but then with Sport and Health we went in a completely different direction ».

Coni and Sport and Health a difficult coexistence.

«There is a problem of space, even a practical one: you can’t live in the same building. It is already a difficulty: until areas and responsibilities are clarified, this dualism will always exist”

As a former president of Coni, how do you see the situation?

“For me it’s a pain. I suffer a lot, seeing Coni reduced like this. I was born a Coni employee, then I had many experiences as a manager: basketball, the football league, commissioner roles and responsibilities, Roma, the presidency of Coni, the return to basketball, it is said that I defend Coni, I will always defend it. It was the first Olympic committee in the world, it was asphalted».

Really?

«I’m sorry to use such a strong term, but as regards responsibility and role, it has been paved, in practice it is limited to Olympic preparation. For my history and for who I am now, I could give a damn, but I can’t. I lead basketball, a strong, autonomous federation that would survive even without state funding, but certain attitudes are intolerable”.

Are you referring to Sport and Health, to its president Cozzoli?

«I am serene, I am not referring to men, with whom I have excellent relationships. But I see that basketball is ninth in the contribution table. That’s why I don’t want to talk about men, but about criteria: you can get to know these blessed models through which state funding is granted. Basketball is in the top three places in world statistics…»

What is your opinion of Abodi, Minister of Sport?

«Formally our relations are good, he is a gentleman, he knows the sport, but I judge men by facts. I’m waiting for him, a matter of days, weeks, when he will decide the distinction of roles and responsibilities between Coni and Sport and Health »

What should Giovanni Malagò do in all this?

«Don’t be Giovanni and be more Malagò».

Can you explain it?

“Be more decision-making as president of Coni”.

Juve case: everyone talking about sports justice. Especially on the political front.

«It is inelegant to do so during proceedings and trials. Everything can be reformed, it’s fair to talk about it, but if CONI proposes a reform of sports justice, I will vote against it”

Why such a harsh position?
«It is the government that wants the reform, that imposes it with an outstretched entrance. Let’s go back to the autonomy of sport, it seems to be in school, where the teachers are rightly imposed. Now I want to choose my teachers».

Let’s close with a more pleasant topic: how is the national basketball team doing with Pozzecco, much in demand from other clubs?

«He is reflecting, but this is the sign of an excellent choice when I called Pozzecco. A trained technician with great communication skills».

Will Petrucci’s post-basketball be called football? Precisely Salernitana?

«President Iervolino will bring innovative ideas. I won’t say more.”