Diana Bianchedi resigns as head of the National delegation after Minister Abodi's statements

Diana Bianchedi resigns as head of the National delegation. The former fencing champion, who was given the position last August, announced the decision after the statements of the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi and the controversy that arose from it. "Following the statements released by the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, and the controversies that arose from them in the press this afternoon, I tender my resignation as Head of the National Team delegation", declared Bianchedi.

Bianchedi: "A step back to protect the team"

Bianchedi explained that his decision also arises from respect for CONI and for sports institutions. "A decision made due to the great respect I have for CONI - explained the former fencing champion -, for its council, for the FIGC and for sports institutions, as demonstrated by my career as an athlete and as a manager. I have always acted with correctness and seriousness, respecting the rules and people, for the good of sport: values ​​which today are unfairly called into question". The choice, added Bianchedi, is also linked to the desire to protect the national team from controversy. "Furthermore, I choose to take a step back for what the blue shirt represents, in order first and foremost to protect the team from unnecessary controversies. A team that I found compact, motivated, with great professionals, starting from the technical commissioner, moving on to the players and all the staff." Finally, Bianchedi thanked the team for the welcome he received in the few days spent in the role: "I thank them for how they welcomed me and for the emotions that they made me experience even in just a few days. Let's remember that sport is, and must be, primarily this. Let's cheer for these guys, they deserve it."

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Abodi's words on frictions in CONI

In the early afternoon, Abodi, on the sidelines of the fifth edition of 'Sky Up The Edit, the broadcaster's project dedicated to schools, had commented on the frictions within the CONI Board, referring in particular to the vice-presidents Marco Di Paola and Diana Bianchedi. "They have the right and duty to express an opinion, but if it is always against they should make a choice, because that role has been entrusted to them in the context of a relationship of trust", said the minister, referring to yesterday's meeting of the CONI council. On that occasion, Di Paola and Bianchedi would have expressed a negative opinion on the proposal for the administration of FederPesi put forward by the president of Coni Luciano Buonfiglio, only to then adapt in favor of the same during the vote. "It makes us think that two such representative figures to whom a leading role has been entrusted on a fiduciary basis", added Abodi, "are unable to bear witness to this entrusted trust, to bear witness to it in a consequent way. These are choices that they will make internally, but normally these relationships like this do not last long in their role and function".

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