FIGC president Gabriele Gravina admits he felt betrayed by former Italy coach Roberto Mancini.

Mancini quit Italy to take up the Saudi Arabia job, with Luciano Spalletti being hired as his replacement. Spalletti has since led Italy to Euro2024 qualification.

Gravina told TV2000: “In the world of sport, moral issues are fundamental. We always talk about values, we try to demonstrate to young people how fundamental image is, cultivating passion but respecting the great values of sport.

“We rejected the proposal with conviction, even though we were aware of the great possibility of success of that combination together with Egypt: Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Italy.

“We did so for reasons of international problems, linked to the Regeni case, and for not sharing some values. You can't always pretend nothing has happened."

He added: “Not on a sporting level, but on a human level, Mancini's choice was a disappointment. I felt betrayed in a pure feeling towards Roberto, who I have always considered a friend. Beyond the interests of his technical choice, for me it was a wound that I struggle to heal from."