.Serie A showdown: Udinese clinches 1-0 victory against Juventus. Image captured during a prior match..
Summary:
- Serie A clubs voted to retain the current 20-team format, rejecting a proposal to reduce the number of participants to 18.
- The decision comes amidst concerns about player workload and calendar congestion, with top clubs pushing for a smaller league, while smaller clubs opposed the move, advocating for equal opportunities.
Serie A, Italy’s premier football division, will continue with its 20-team structure following a league assembly held on Monday in Milan. Despite efforts by some of Italy’s prominent clubs, including Inter Milan, Juventus, AC Milan, and Roma, the proposal to reduce the league size to 18 teams was rejected by a majority vote.
The debate over the league’s size has been ongoing, fueled by concerns about the increasing number of matches played by top clubs and players. With Serie A’s top four teams earning spots in the Champions League, where a new format will introduce additional matches before the knockout stages, concerns over player fatigue and scheduling have been amplified.
However, the proposal to reduce the number of teams faced significant opposition from smaller clubs within Serie A.
Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani last month echoed the sentiments of many medium and small clubs, stating, ‘I’m against it just like all the other medium and small clubs are. I don’t understand why we should deny so many teams their chance to dream.’
His words underscore the concerns of smaller clubs about the proposed reduction in Serie A teams, highlighting the importance of preserving opportunities for all teams within the league.
In addition to maintaining the current league format, Serie A also announced plans for reforms within Italian football. These proposals, aimed at enhancing the league’s autonomy and governance, will be presented to the country’s governing federation, FIGC, in the coming month.
The league seeks greater autonomy, drawing inspiration from models such as England’s Premier League, as it strives to adapt and improve Italian football’s structure and operations.