League Vote Decides: Serie A To Maintain 20-Team Format Amidst Club Opposition”

League Vote Decides: Serie A To Maintain 20-Team Format Amidst Club Opposition”

Following a crucial assembly, Serie A has made a definitive decision to uphold its current 20-team structure, dismissing attempts by major Italian clubs to reduce the number of participants to 18….READ ALSO

In a statement released after the meeting held at its headquarters in Milan, Serie A affirmed the continuation of the league’s existing format, despite the push from influential clubs such as Inter Milan, Juventus, AC Milan, and Roma in favor of the proposed reduction.

The proposition to decrease the number of teams in Italy’s top-flight league has been a topic of discussion for some time, particularly amidst concerns about the growing number of matches played by top clubs and players. With changes looming in the Champions League format from next season, which will entail additional matches before reaching the knockout stages, the debate over the optimal league size intensified.

However, the majority of Serie A clubs, particularly those considered as “lesser lights,” opposed the notion of a smaller division. Critics viewed the proposal as tailored to cater solely to the needs of the biggest clubs, sparking dissent among smaller and medium-sized clubs.

Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani voiced his opposition, 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.”

In addition to maintaining the current league structure, Serie A also approved a set of reforms for Italian football, which it plans to present to the country’s governing federation, FIGC, in the coming month. These proposed reforms aim to grant Serie A greater autonomy, a move akin to the governance model adopted by England’s Premier League, as outlined by Serie A president Lorenzo Casini earlier this month.