Serie A clubs have voted against reducing the number of teams in the Italian top division from 20 to 18. This decision was made after the league’s shareholders’ meeting in Milan. Although some top clubs had pushed for the reduction in order to enhance the quality of football and decrease the number of games played, the majority of clubs voted to maintain the status quo.
Push for Reduction
A minority group of clubs, including Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and AS Roma, supported the reduction to 18 teams. These clubs argued that reducing the number of matches would benefit the players, who often face a heavy workload due to international competitions, national team matches, the Italian Cup, and the league. Juventus, in particular, has long been an advocate for reducing the number of teams in Serie A.
The Criticism
However, the proposal to reduce the league size faced criticism from other club directors. Some believed that the clubs in favor of the reduction were trying to create a “super league,” which would have altered the dynamics of Italian football. Torino president Urbino Cairo expressed his disapproval, stating that the attitude of these clubs was wrong.
Although the reduction was not approved, Serie A did agree to present a proposal for reforms at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Italian football federation (FIGC) in March. The league is seeking more autonomy similar to England’s Premier League. Serie A president Lorenzo Casini emphasized the necessity for greater decision-making power and autonomy within Serie A, given its significant economic weight and contribution to the overall game of Italian football.
Milan president Paolo Scaroni echoed Casini’s sentiment and highlighted the frustration within Serie A. Despite providing significant financial backing to the entire Italian football game, Serie A only holds 12% of the power within the Federation. This lack of influence has created a cycle of frustration for the league, which desires greater autonomy and control over its economic decisions.
Serie A clubs have voted to keep the number of teams in the top division at 20, rejecting the proposal to reduce it to 18. This decision was met with criticism from some directors, while others recognized the need for reforms in order to grant Serie A more autonomy within the Italian football federation. Despite the desires of a minority group of clubs, the majority voted in favor of maintaining the current structure of the league. Serie A will continue to play an important role in Italian football, providing both financial support and top-quality football for fans around the world.
Leave a Reply