Another scandal… Former Italian footballer exposes systematic corruption in Serie A
Who is Federico Mangiamili?
Federico Mangiamili is a former AC Milan youth product who featured for the club’s under‑17 and under‑19 sides before retiring early, citing “rampant corruption” in Italian football.
Key accusations
In a shocking social‑media post released after Italy’s defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup qualifier, Mangiamili outlined several corrupt practices allegedly embedded in Serie A and lower‑league football.
- Agents offering bribes up to €50,000 to push players from lower divisions into Serie C.
- First‑division clubs fielding foreign players on “exorbitant wages”.
- Coaches unable to decide on starting line‑ups due to external pressures.
“On the one hand I feel frustrated, and on the other I am happy. Only those who have lived in this environment know just how dirty things are behind the scenes.”
Reactions and timing
The revelations arrived just hours after the national team’s painful elimination, intensifying debate over the state of Italian football and prompting calls for accountability from the Italian Football Federation.
Mangiamili concluded his message by emphasizing his relief at having left the environment, yet warning that his account reflects a “true reflection of the corruption in Italian football.”
