Russian ambassador expresses solidarity for Pirlo

Russian ambassador to Italy Alexey Paramonov on Monday expressed solidarity for Andrea Pirlo, who has announced that he is no longer in the running to be the new coach of the Italian national team following a furore over his sponsorship of Russian betting agency Fonbet. "It is sad to note that, despite your extraordinary contribution to world sports and to Italy's image around the world, right here in your own country, you are now being ostracized by an establishment that many describe as 'pseudo-democratic,'" Paramonov wrote in an open letter to Pirlo posted on the Russian Embassy's Telegram channel. "This has already happened to thousands of Russian athletes, conductors, musicians, artists, and directors, who were prevented from performing in the West in recent years. "Of course, my word