Training: safeguarding meeting with FIGC experts for San Marino coaches

On Tuesday evening – at the Casa del Calcio in Montecchio – a new refresher meeting for San Marino coaches was held, organised by the San Marino Football Federation and entirely dedicated to the particularly sensitive and central topic of Safeguarding.

For the occasion, the San Marino Football Federation had the honour of hosting two colleagues from the Italian Football Federation, both leading experts on the subject: Cristina Blasetti (FIGC Sustainability Manager) and Domenico Bria (FIGC Child & Youth Protection Officer and Secretary of the FIGC Safeguarding Policy Commission).

Following an introduction by Carlo Chiarabini, FSGC Head of Coach Education, who underlined how important this issue is for the Federation and the entire San Marino football movement, the speakers were introduced by Andrea Zoppis – Child Safeguarding Focal Point of the FSGC. Zoppis outlined the significant progress made by the Federation since 2024, including the publication of its first Safeguarding Policy, the establishment of a Safeguarding Commission and the creation of an online form dedicated to reporting concerns.

This latter tool, available on the federal website in the dedicated section, allows anyone – even anonymously – to submit reports regarding abuse or inappropriate behaviour, whether direct or indirect, within San Marino football.

During the evening, Cristina Blasetti presented the FIGC Sustainability Strategy, illustrating the process that led to its definition and the eleven areas that make it up. The 2023-24 Progress Report was also presented – a document summarising the objectives achieved in the 18 months since the launch of the FIGC Sustainability Strategy in July 2023. Domenico Bria, meanwhile, examined in depth the critical issues in the sector, the main types of abuse identified in the world of football and the need to build a protective framework for young athletes. His contribution covered procedures, assessment systems, relations with the competent authorities and various practical examples to help coaches recognise problematic situations and respond appropriately. The FSGC would also like to thank the FIGC, Cristina Blasetti and Domenico Bria for their availability and valuable contribution. In this way, the San Marino Federation wishes to reaffirm its commitment to building on the work carried out so far in order to make the football environment increasingly safe.