Diana Bianchedi resigns as head of the national delegation after the controversy over Abodi's statements

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." Thus Diana Bianchedi announces that she is leaving the position with Italy which she was given last August. "A decision developed due to the great respect I have for CONI - explained the former fencing champion -, for its Board, for the FIGC and for sports institutions, such as demonstrates 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 ​​that today are unfairly questioned.

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 controversy. A team that I found compact, motivated, with great professionals, starting from the technical commissioner, moving on to the players and all the staff. I thank them for the way they welcomed me and for the emotions they made me experience even in just a few days. Let us remember - concludes Bianchedi - that sport is, and must be, primarily this. We're rooting for these guys, they deserve it."