Soccer: Pirlo says he's no longer in running to be new Italy coach

Andrea Pirlo said Monday that he is no longer in the running to be the new coach of the Italian national team after a furore erupted over his sponsorship of Russian betting agency Fonbet. "I learned last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italian national team coaching position," the former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder and key member of the Azzurri's 2006 World Cup-winning team said via social media. The 47-year-old, who is currently in charge of Dubai United, had previously expressed "great bitterness" about the row over the sponsorship. "Throughout my career, I have always conducted my work in full compliance with the laws of the countries where I have worked and the contracts I have signed," he said. "The professional collaboration at the centre of recent controversy is e